Technically Speaking

If you don’t live in the world of cell phones, text messaging, instant messaging, cam chats on-line, websites, blogging…(that is different than clogging )…and computers in general, you’re missing out on a lot of fun in life. People and knowledge are literally at our fingertips. Our world has never been so connected, yet if you think about it, the explosion of technological advancement has created a generation gap that has never been so wide and will continue to widen if we parents do not keep up with those advancements.

Growing up in my generation our parents really didn’t know where we were at 10:00 pm and they had few alternatives to find out.  Being a teenager I thought that freedom was great, but today is different.  Within a few seconds on a cell phone we can instantly communicate with our children. We have entered a world of abbreviated language and to parents, cryptic messaging. Test your text savvy understanding of the following acronyms: TNT, LOL, HAND, IDK, SIT, WU, CID, TTUL, B4N. This abbreviated form of communication requires us to learn the new English so we can instantly and properly communicate with our children. To this generation receiving text messages elevates one’s status, even if it’s just from their mom! To them receiving messages is a symbol of importance! Talking on their cell while walking to their next class is cool… no one has to know it’s just their mother as opposed to a friend!

The downside to this technological explosion besides the evils found on the Internet are thoughts of insecurity and self-doubt born from a lack of technological know-how. To illustrate, when was the last time you thought to yourself, “I could never learn that” or “I could never have a family blog as good as my friend?” Just this past month I have heard several such comments. “Keeping up with the Jones’s” has entered the world of technology as well, but we can’t compare ourselves to what others do.  We are not alike and our abilities and talents are all different.   Our world is not made up of just one kind of flower or an orchestra that has just one instrument playing. 

The technical world is here to stay so why fight feelings of being left behind or feelings of inadequacy of computer skills. Instead jump on board and enjoy the ride. Learn how to do the things that you are only hearing about and make sure you’re learning along side your children.  If you are advancing with them and beside them the likelihood of their straying into forbidden Internet paths is diminished.  Develop a good attitude about technology because it is here for our benefit. Even our Father in Heaven’s work is greatly benefited by its use.

The advice I give my children when they begin a new semester in school is… “Get to know the smartest kid in each of your classes and be their best friend.”  Same principle applies here.  Find out who in the ward knows computers and ask for help.  You will not only find a new best friend but a new world will open up to you as you learn to communicate and thrive in this ever-changing world of technology…  Happy blogging!

Here is a list of acronyms and their meanings for those of you who need assistance with this new English language of cryptic messaging…

10TNT: till next time, IDC: I don’t care, G2G: got to go, HAND: have a nice day, TTUL: talk to you later, TY: thank you, IDK: I don’t know. CID: consider it done, BBS: be back soon, WU: what’s up, GOL: giggle out loud, GAL: get a life, F2t: free to talk, WE: whatever, SYS: see you soon, CSL: can’t stop laughing, B4N: bye for now, WFM: works for me, CUL: see you later and SIT: stay in touch.

For a complete list of acronyms consult your teenager!