TECHNOLOGIES

Alison: I think that even a few years ago we could never have imagined how much mobiles and tablets would change our behaviour. I know that I would find it incredibly difficult to live without my mobile. I’m constantly looking at my phone to see if I’ve got any new messages or updates and checking my apps to see what’s new. I wouldn’t say that I post my life online, unlike some people I know, but I do like to keep up with what people are up to.

Meredith: In a way, I think it’s quite funny that we’re always worrying about teenagers and young people becoming obsessed with online communication. If you ask me we need to worry just as much about adults! At the office where I work, even when we have a break, nobody talks to each other unless they absolutely have to. Even during meetings people can’t resist subtly checking their phone, and what really irritates me is when you are trying to talk to someone and they’re more interested in looking at their phone than paying attention to what you’re saying, even though you're right in front of them!

James: I was listening to this discussion on the radio the other day talking about online communication and they were talking about FOMO; Fear of Missing Out, a psychological syndrome which we’re affected by because of our obsession with online communication. Basically, they were saying that people are too worried that everyone is having more fun than them, or doing something more exciting.

Evan: My generation is so different from my parents’. I mean, they’re always telling me that they grew up in a world without mobiles and social networking and they managed fine. I had so many arguments with them while I was growing up until they let me have my first smartphone. But they didn’t let me have Snapchat or Instagram or anything like that! They just didn’t understand that that’s the way people my age communicate with each other. They have no idea how much I missed out on at school being the only one who didn’t have Snapchat. Also, at school, we had loads of talks and stuff on how to stay safe online and most of us knew that anything you post online was going to be there forever.

Kelly: For me, one of the best things about online communication is that you can stay in touch with everyone at the same time, all the time. You know exactly what’s going on, when and where, so you never miss out on anything. I love the fact that you can update all your friends on what’s going on in your life and they can respond immediately with a like or a comment. I share loads of photos, but I only post my best-edited shots. I hate it when people I know post photos of me not looking my best.