How Email, Texting, and Facebook Messenger Might Be Damaging Your Relationships

We live in a digital world, and apparently we like to communicate electronically. A lot. I’m not against texting or emailing (I use both every day), but I am concerned that it’s become the primary way of communicating our thoughts and feelings.

Too many have forgotten how to practice the art of face-to-face dialog, and it’s hurting our relationships.

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According to the nerds who research this kind of stuff, there are well over 100 billion emails sent and received each and every day worldwide, and 8.3 trillion text messages sent every year. That's almost 23 billion messages per day (Portio Research).

In many ways, technology has enhanced our lives (click here for a blog about that fact). This is not a rant about texting while driving into a ditch. And I’m not going to complain about spam (when grilled with eggs, I actually like it).

Nope.

This post is about how digital communication can harm your relationships because it’s a vastly inferior way to communicate your emotions, opinions, or your state of mind.

To begin with, body language and tone are a huge part of effective communication. Obviously, even if you use the vast array of emoticons, it’s still difficult to accurately convey feelings via a 140-character text or even a lengthy email. Frankly, most of us (myself included) aren’t good enough as writers to depend solely on our writing ability as the primary means of sharing our hearts.

And the eyes truly are the window to the soul, but when you write a text or email, no one can see into your inner person. There is something powerful about eye-to-eye contact with another human. Texts and email lack the potential for personal or heartfelt interaction.

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On a more technical point, did you know that digital things do get lost in space? Texts, emails, and Facebook messages are not certified mail. There is no guarantee from anyone, including Google or Yahoo, that your messages always will be delivered. (Think I'm wrong? Check out this discussion forum site and you'll see it's a growing problem.) So if what you wrote in an email is important, I wouldn’t recommend it as your only or even your primary means of communication.

This past weekend I sent an urgent email to a friend. I’ve sent him emails many times before to the same email address. I asked him to respond just to make sure he got it. He didn’t get it, and the email never got returned to me as undeliverable. It didn’t go to his Spam file either (he checked); it did not get delivered even though it was in my sent folder. It happens. Imagine what could have happened if I had assumed he’d gotten the email.

I found out recently that a couple left our church because they were offended that I never replied to an email they sent me. I assure you, I never received it. How sad that they made a life changing decision because they presumed I had.

Let me say it again; email is NOT certified mail. So if your message is important, you should follow it up with a call or, better yet, a face-to-face conversation (what a concept).

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Speaking of Facebook, I discovered yesterday that Facebook can filter your messages. Like most mail servers, Facebook can decide if a message is spam (even if it’s from a friend). Unless you go to your “filtered file” (good luck finding it), you’ll fail to see stuff that you may not want to miss.

I had over forty messages in my filtered file, and many of them were from people who now probably think I’m a jerk for never replying. (Find out more here about this Facebook practice.) I love Facebook, but I’m not a fan of Messenger. Where’s that angry face emoji?

Here’s my point: Electronic messaging, in all its various forms, works well for communicating facts and general information. However, it is sorely lacking when it comes to expressing your thoughts and feelings in a relationship, and delivery is never guaranteed.

If what you want to say matters, say it, don’t send it. It’s better to pick up the phone or sit down for a chat over coffee.

Enough said.

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Kurt Bubna

Kurt W. Bubna has published seven books, is an internationally recognized blogger, conference and retreat speaker, as well as an experienced life and leadership coach. Bubna has over forty years of experience working with individuals, teams, and a wide variety of business and non-profit organizations.

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Martha Orlando

    I never realized so many e-mails get lost!
    And yes, I agree wholeheartedly that face-to-face communication is always the best way to go.
    Blessings, Kurt!

    1. KurtBubna

      I don’t think there are “many” that get lost, but some do (or they end up in a Spam file and we never see them). Of course, lost or not, my major point is that IF it’s matters, SAY it, don’t send it! Love and appreciate you.

  2. Kevin Cain

    This is double edged. Ever since the 80’s when Sony introduced the Walkman we’ve began a tight daily interaction with these electronic devices. To begin with it isolated everyone, headphones, hand held games acted as barriers. Now we’re at a level of hyper-connected/communicating. How many times will we call at the grocery store, “what do we need” rather than making a list or talking about it before?
    My parents use to sit down everyday to catch up on the day’s activities. Now, if I don’t hear from my wife in 4 hours I begin to wonder if there is a problem.
    But you are dead on, sitting down for coffee will communicate far deeper than any use of text, email or even facetime!

    1. KurtBubna

      Well said, Kevin, and so true. Thanks for adding your thoughts!

  3. Don Grau

    I’ve been saying this for a long time. How does one show love or sadness through texting. How does one show caring or how do you hug a person through texting? You can’t show emotions through texting, and that is part of communication. And, prayer just isn’t the same written as it is spoken. Something tells me, God prefers the spoken along with the emotions. Thanks Kurt. God bless.

    1. KurtBubna

      Thanks Don! Love and miss you guys…

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