[oh8eleven]

but many kids these days (25 and under) are so entrenched in social media that they’d be lost without it.
Actually, they're lost WITH it. I have several young relatives and their personal skills leave a lot to be desired.
At family gatherings, it's not unusual to see them isolated in various corners of the house with their noses stuck in their cell phones instead of interacting w/ family.
And if you're lucky enough to find one who's "come up for air", talking to them is like pulling teeth.

[kosciusko51]

When I read about the tech-obsessed social media, I wish for an EMP, or at least a cell-phone jammer.

[trickyricky]

Isn't that the truth?
I have a nephew (very bright) who spends hours on end "texting".
This is to his friend across the street, who he could easily walk across the road and talk to.
I asked him, Pat if you're too lazy to walk over to Jim's why don't you just call him?
He gave me this "Are you out of your mind?" look.
I do not, for the life of me, understand the fascination.
Could someone enlighten me?

[rarestia]

Amen to that, my FRiend! I have young co-workers who are more concerned about their iPhone goings-on than with their work. We’ve had to fire two kids who spent more time texting and talking on their phones than working. It’s getting pretty bad out there, IMHO.

My young family members aren’t immune, and they exhibit the same behaviors you describe. I thought that instant messaging would be the death of social behavior as we know, but it seems that social networking is more of a problem than IM ever was.