I think for me though, that I cannot tell people's tone through text or through messages. I do not like text for communication because it takes tone out completely. For me, when I say it destroys communication is that it's caused a lot of issues in the past. Because in the past, I misunderstand something because I don't get the context. At least in actual communication, I can hear the tone, there are cues I look for, and exaggerate on to help me socialize. If it's important or something I really want to say, No I don't want to talk to you on Facebook or text you. I seek personal communication. I seek face to face or a phone call.
I agree that it's limited and that it can cause misunderstandings, but that doesn't mean it's "destroying communication" in general. If you want face-to-face communication, seek face-to-face communication. If you'd rather call someone than text them, then
communicate and tell them why you dislike texting and that you'd rather call them.
Some people surely have their own reasons for preferring texting. I, for example, find it a lot more convenient, and I feel more comfortable having a private conversation via text than via a phone call, which is why I'll try texting people by default. But if I'm having a hard time understanding someone, and I feel like I really need to
speak to them about something important, then I'll call them. The fact that texting exists does not mean that phone calls do not exist. Texting is just an alternative that people have now. You can still talk to people face-to-face if you feel the need.
And honestly, aside from people preferring text messaging and social media for convenience, I can't think of a single way that the existence of social media actually
prevents people from communicating face-to-face. Like I said, the people who appear to be glued to their phones aren't being anti-social, because if they didn't have their phones, they probably
wouldn't be conversing at all, as they aren't
physically with the people they're trying to communicate with. If you
are capable of physically talking to someone, then do so. The existence of cell phones does not stop you from doing so.
And if they're still looking down at their phones and that's bothering you, then
communicate and tell them that it's annoying you and that you want them to pay attention to you when you're talking. (Or, if you don't want to be as blunt, a simple "...are you listening?" should work for most conversations. If you're actually talking about something really serious, then I think asking them to put their phone away wouldn't be too absurd of a request.)
