Miranda Bator

12/10/15

Enterprise Story

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In the early 1950s, the typewriter was invented and presented to the world. Since then, the

development of the internet, mobile computers, smartphones, and a variety of other advances

have been vital to day-to-day communication. The demographic that is most impacted by this

change in society is the young adults, commonly referred to as Millennials: individuals born

from the late-1980s until the early 2000s.

Communication through varying mediums of technology has become common place for people

of all ages, however, Millennials have the most exposure and comfortability using these

methods. This is evenly become a solution and a problem for young adults, particularly on the

subject of relationships.

According to a survey conducted at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), about 93-percent of

college students engage in emotional conversations over text messages. Communicating through

texting, e-mail, social media, and video calling has become easier and more convenient than

reaching out to meet the other person face-to-face.

Rebecca Noell, a senior at GVSU, is currently in a long distance relationship where her

boyfriend lives eight hours away. “If we weren’t able to have technology, we would never talk.”

In situations of long-distance relationships, romantic or friendly, technology is a huge aid to

maintenance. Without texting, video calling and phone calls, it would be very difficult to keep in

constant communication with a person that lives far away. “He’s a very on-the-go, mobile

person,” Noell says. “Technology only helps us, it doesn’t hurt us.”

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Many options are available for communication through technology. There is an app called

Couple, available on iOS and Android. This app offers a shared calendar, location messaging,

and even a “Thinking of You” option, which sends a notification to the significant other

whenever they are thinking of them. To learn more about this app follow this link:

https://couple.me/

The problem seen in Millennials, however, is the use of technology to avoid confrontation and

conflict in relationships. About 67-percent of college students have been broken up with in a way

alternative to a face-to-face conversation.

Susan Hopkin, communications professor at GVSU, has done research on technology as it relates

to interpersonal communication, conflict management, and workplace issues. “Technology gives

us an easy way out on communicating difficult uncomfortable information,” Hopkin says. “You

are unable to respond to expressions, tone of voice, situational factors, and misunderstanding

ensues.”

On a positive note, it has the potential to diffuse emotional situations, according to Hopkin. “By

the time you meet with the person face-to-face, the conflict has the potential to wane.” With time

and distance a key factor, conflict situations created or discussed over text messages have a

tendency to diminish. This leads to situations of conflict rarely discussed in person, or face-to-

face.

Having emotional conversations over text messages leaves a wide range of interpretation for the

person receiving the message. Britny Avery, junior at GVSU, was in a three and a half year

relationship before it ended. “Texting is not a good form of communication to begin with

because you can’t see the other person or know what they mean.” Avery and her ex-boyfriend

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heavily relied on technology to communicate. “Technology was a huge part in our relationship

the whole time we were together,” Avery says. “We texted every single day, which is insane.”

According to a 2014 Gallup Poll, 68-percent of 18 to 29-year-olds say that they texted “a lot” the

previous day, while 47-percent among 30 to 49-year-olds and only 26-percent among 50 to 64-

year-olds. How does this generation gap in technology effect relationships?

“Our society is less competent as communicators, than in the past,” says Hopkin. “We don't

notice others, we have our heads down, and we don't see how others are feeling. We don't

contemplate that other individual’s reality is not ours.”

This could potentially block the ability to form new relationships. About 52-percent of college

students at GVSU are not in a relationship, based on a survey conducted. Without the proper

tools and communication skills to build relationships, the millennial generation will suffer and

have problems getting into relationships.

Amber Downs, senior at GVSU, is currently in a relationship. “Everyone needs alone time or

time to themselves. Sometimes you find someone that can be there during those ‘alone’ times

and it feels just as nice,” Downs says. “They don’t interfere with your ‘alone’ time, they aren’t

annoying. It’s therapeutic.”

With the current rates of communication through technology, the millennial generation may

move to a point where face-to-face communication is not only rare, but undesired. The “alone”

time will continue to be just that: alone. Millennials may not find that certain someone to enjoy

“alone” time with.

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