Smartphones: Communications Best Friend or Enemy?

By Regis Perry

Imagine a time when a message took days, or even weeks, to travel from one person to another. Then fast-forward to today: we instantly send photos, voice notes, and live videos across the globe. This shift in how humans communicate has profound implications—not just for societies, but for you and me, in how we connect, grow, and show up in the world.

A Quick Historical Arc

Rogers reminds us that communication methods have always evolved as technology advanced. From messenger pigeons and smoke signals to the 1831 electric telegraph—a key turning point in human connection. Muck Rack+1Every era brought a new layer: the telephone, radio, television, and now the internet, smartphones, and real-time global connectivity.

Why This Matters for You

For someone like you—committed to spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical self-development—this evolution isn’t just academic. It’s practical. Here’s how:

1. Amplified Voice & Presence The tools of communication shift from small, local exchanges to global networks. This means your thoughts, growth journey, and personal brand can reach far beyond your immediate circle. You are no longer speaking only to your students, friends, or local community—you can now engage with a broader audience.

2. Faster Feedback, Deeper ReflectionThe instant-communication era encourages speed: quick replies, instant sharing, real-time connection. But for you, locked into “working on me,” that means balancing instant responses with mindful pauses. Technology gives you the platform—how you use it shapes your growth narrative.

3. New Modes of Authentic ConnectionWhile messages travel at light speed now, the quality of connection matters even more. Face-to-face, eye-to-eye dialogues had their power; today, digital conversations demand authenticity to maintain that power. Your focus on relationships (with yourself and others) benefits when you bring intention to every form of communication.

Key Themes from Rogers’ Article

Here are three standout ideas worth carrying into everyday life:

Relentless Progression Rogers emphasizes that communication doesn’t just change—it accelerates when technology leaps forward. Each new tool builds upon the last. ForbesTakeaway for you: See your personal growth the same way—layer by layer. Yesterday’s insight is a stepping-stone for today’s breakthrough.

Accessibility & Connectivity Technology reduces distance and time. Now you can connect with someone continents away as easily as the person next door.Takeaway: Extend your circle—connect across boundaries, whether geographic, cultural, or generational (like your role as a teacher rebuilding confidence with students).

Potential Risks & Responsibilities Rogers notes that with speed and scale come issues: information overload, shallow interactions, and distractions. Studocu+1Takeaway: As you grow, guard your attention. Use technology as a conduit—not a distraction. Your self-development demands clarity, not noise.

How You Can Apply This Today

Here are some actionable steps, tailored to you, grounded in this communication evolution:

Audit your communication channels: Which tools (apps, platforms, in-person) are enhancing your growth and which are draining you? Choose consciously.

Design your message: Whether you’re speaking to your class, your partner, or yourself, think about how you’re communicating—tone, medium, timing—and what you want to achieve.

Schedule digital detox moments: In a world of constant connection, your greatest growth often happens in the quiet space between messages.

Share your growth journey: Use modern platforms to tell your story of self-development—your spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical work. Authenticity resonates.

Teach from this vantage: As a teacher, model mindful communication. Show your students not just what to say, but how to say it—intentionally, clearly, empathetically.

Final Thought

Technology has changed how we speak; what remains constant is why we speak—to connect, to learn, to evolve. As you “lock in with yourself,” remember: your voice matters, your story matters, and the medium you choose is simply the vehicle. Use it with purpose.

Reference Rogers, S. (2019, October 15). The Role of Technology in the Evolution of Communication. Forbes. Forbes+1