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Texting frequency and moral shallowing
An interesting study that reveals, in accordance with Nicholas Carr's predictions, that there is a close positive correlation between what most of us would consider moral ugliness and frequent texting, at least among young people in Winnipeg. The correlations between frequent texting and moral dissolution are unsurprising, as the study appears to suggest that 42% of students in Winnipeg appear to text more than 200 times a day. 12% of them do so more than 300 times a day. That leaves little time for thought. It averages out at once every 3 minutes for 15 hours of the day. I guess they read the replies too And eat and use the bathroom (I don't want to even think about that in the context of texting). And indulge what appear to be quite prodigious and positively correlated sexual appetites (or that). Luckily for the rest of us, that leaves little time to pursue their interests in wealth and status. My suspicion would be that most activities apart from breathing that that we engage in 300+ times a day are unlikely to do us much good.
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Jon Dron
Jon Dron
Comments
This is really interesting Jon. I have implemented a form of 'forced reflection' in my classes, not really understanding the 'why' other than I felt some tacit (gut feeling) that it was worthwhile. It is a time when mobile phones are ignored and students are given time to write reflections on the week's work (similar to the reading time many schools embrace). This study helps to explain why this may be a worthy activity. Thanks!
Susan Bainbridge May 11, 2013 - 12:05pm
I had posted a link an FB (actually it was to http://news-centre.uwinnipeg.ca/all-posts/study-supports-theory-on-teen-texting-and-shallow-thought/ ) but same story.
I wanted to share two comments on my posting:
With respect to the second comment - I think not - but it reminded me that tools are not used the same way, nor for the same reason, by different users.
James Ronholm May 13, 2013 - 10:04am
I totally agree with the above theory, that should be researched in a following study.
Camille Renee March 12, 2014 - 3:05pm