Alexandra Macpherson

Thomas Wright
ENC 3331
8 December 2014
Plan of Action
Through out this semester, I have collected and analyzed information about how
technology has caused a decline in interpersonal communication. My research indicates
that the excessive use of technology is detrimental to relational communication in society
and inhibits face-to-face interaction between family, friends, peers, and strangers. I
believe that this is a civic issue that is present in our local community at the University of
Central Florida but extends to people all over the world. Author of Alone Together,
Sherry Turkle claims, "We expect more from technology and less from one another and
seem increasingly drawn to technologies that provide the illusion of companionship
without the demands of relationship" (Turkle 2012). Communication between individuals
is the very foundation that built the society we live in, because of this I encourage my
peers and those who care about their interpersonal relationships to become civically
engaged in this issue.
According to a study by Pew Research Center in 2012, 63% of teenagers report
that they use text messaging to communicate daily. Almost three years later, those
numbers certainly have risen due to the ever-growing age of technology. A study
conducted at the University of Essex concluded that, the mere presence of mobile
phones inhibited the development of interpersonal closeness and trust, and reduced
the extent to which individuals felt empathy and understanding from their partners. The

notion that many people spend too much time on their electronic devices is not new or
uncommon. Many are mindful that our lives have become consumed with texting, social
media, or having the latest and greatest smartphone. The problem and why I consider this
a civic issue is that the behavior doesnt change despite the awareness. This is not a call
for the condemnation of technology or a petition to forever rid yourself of cellphones and
tablets. That would be absurd and unrealistic. There is no denying that the advancements
in computer and communication technologies have advanced our world tremendously.
However, where there is progress in some areas, there are hindrances in others. In this
case, the hindrance is our interpersonal communication.
My plan of action against this decrease of communication is to build off of prior
attempts to fix the issue. Additionally, I will provide my personal ideas and insight to
create a lasting remembrance in the minds of those who fall victim to this civic matter
and promote a change of behavior. To set my approaches to the issue in action I propose
that these two strategies will prove to be successful:
1. Create a Website/ Social Media Campaign
The first strategy in my plan of action is to utilize the rhetorical approach
of media. I plan to create a social media campaign to increase awareness about the
issue of technology and interpersonal communication. It seems fitting to reach my
audience on the very thing that is a part of my issue (social media on
smartphones). This allows me to reach my target audience very easily because
whoever comes across my campaign on an electronic device is who I want
receiving my message.

The specific name of my campaign is called Devices Down. I will first

create a website for my campaign (www.DevicesDownCampaign.com) and detail
what the purpose of the campaign is about. The website will feature stories that
individuals have sent in about experiences theyve had when theyve put their
technological device down and experienced life beyond a phone or computer
screen. The website is meant to utilize the rhetorical approach of pathos. The
stories published will center around meaningful human interaction and contact.
Example stories would consist of meeting a significant other because a
conversation was sparked instead of texting. Another story could be someone
witnessing something beautiful and because they werent looking at their phone
they didnt miss it. The point is for people to read about all the things they are
missing when their nose is buried in a cellphone.
Social media comes into play when expanding the reach of the campaign.
Hashtags are very useful in campaigns so I will employ #DevicesDown to
increase exposure. Through Twitter and Facebook, internet users can write a short
snippet of their own experience of positive interpersonal communication without
devices or simply comment on the campaign and direct others to the website.
A social media campaign like this has been created before. I think that my
idea to host a website with positive stories is building upon those who have
attempted something like this before me. I came across the campaign Phone
Down Head Up with goals similar to mine. Their specific goal is to eliminate
smartphone use in restaurants (which is ironically a segue into my next approach).

They utilized visual rhetorics and I plan to create comparable content. Below is an
image theyve posted on their Twitter:

I predict that my Devices Down campaign will resonate with people and enact a
change of behavior.
2. Incentivized surrendering of smartphones at restaurants
I came across a Huffington Post about a Los Angeles restaurant called Eva
that gives you a 5% discount off of your bill if you give up your cellphone at the
entrance. Mark Gold, the owner and chef of Eva said, The offer has struck a
chord with people seeking to connect with their dining partners, not their
screens. He also stated that he has received an enormity of positive responses
thanking him for doing something. I figure that if Eva received such a positive
response, more restaurants should participate in what I call incentivized
surrendering of phones. Getting chain restaurants to participate might be more
challenging because it would require a corporate enactment. To start small, I

would target local, privately owned restaurants and eateries. Phones would be
locked and guarded so customers would not fear getting their property stolen.
Evas seems to have a positive response with 5% off the bill, but the amount of
incentive (discount) would be up to the owners discretion. If just one restaurant
attracted so much attention, imagine how effective multiple participants could be.

I firmly believe that the actions I suggested can create an impact on the level of
awareness about interpersonal communication and how it is decreased by technology. Do
I think that these strategies will solve the problem in its entirety? No, probably not.
However, these actions will generate more attention to the civic issue and engage those
who are open to altering their behavior to increase positive relational communication.

Work Cited
Hudson, Hayley. "Eva Restaurant Cellphone Discount Gives Los Angeles Patrons 5
Percent Off For Surrendering Phone." The Huffington Post.
TheHuffingtonPost.com, 3 Jan. 2013. Web. 8 Dec. 2014.
Przybylski, Andrew K., and Netta Weinstein. "Can you connect with me now? How the
presence of mobile communication technology influences face-to-face
conversation quality." Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 30.3 (2013):
237-246.
Turkle, Sherry. "The Flight From Conversation." New York Times 21 Apr. 2012. Print.