This must be an issue for teens and young adults. I have never been expected to always be available or respond quickly to friends.

by Secret_Candle_9907 2 days ago

Exactly. I have very close friends that I go days, weeks, months without texting or talking to. We know we have different schedules, different time zones, and lots of responsibilities. We just pick up where we left off.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

It's not just my problem — it's a cultural shift. But thanks for proving the point. 😜

by Anonymous 2 days ago

Nuanced take with helpful advice for OP at the end. Well written response

by vince72 2 days ago

That sounds more like a problem with your friends than a problem with phones

by Maleficent-Rub-5606 2 days ago

Sure - and climate change is just a weather problem.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

yeah that comparison makes zero sense. people expect instant replies and get upset if you take time to respond. But real friendships should allow space What you describe here is a people problem

by Maleficent-Rub-5606 2 days ago

I have come to hate the word normalize

by durganvivien 2 days ago

Real friendships do allow for time to respond. This is more an opinion on your friends not on being available.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

So you dont have real friendships May want to work on that

by Quick_Leg_2761 2 days ago

This happened 12 (when I got a phone) to 20. This doesn't happen with my 30 age friends

by Anonymous 2 days ago

You mentioned that people are expecting instant replies. Who are these people?

by Willmselwyn 2 days ago

I train people to expect several hours of delay, and use communications media that allow turning off intrusive notifications.

by Anonymous 2 days ago

I agree this is a cultural shift, but that does not mean that it is a cultural problem. Part of cultural shift is adapting with the shift, and figuring out what works best for the individual. The fact that we are available 24/7 has nothing to do with it. You can just turn off your phone or set those boundaries with your friends that you will not be available time to time. And if they can't accept that, then they may not be a good fit to be your friends? It's a people problem, not a technological or societal problem. You have to know how to regulate. It's only ruining real friendships because people don't know how to regulate or don't set those boundaries, or ignore boundaries that are set. Never expect society to change. It can, but only if the people do. So focus on the people, and what you can control. And you absolutely can control being seen as available 24/7. Just don't be.

by Veumamber 2 days ago