No Need To Call By Jenna Wortham Summary

Over the last 10 years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of users on social networks. Not only do most people now communicate through texting rather than calling, the prevalence of social media is changing the way that humans communicate. In her essay, "I Had a Nice Time with You Tonight on the App”, Jenna Wortham demonstrates her optimism for the effects that social media has on relationships. Wortham argues that the connections mobile devices create can enhance communication between two or more people. On the contrary, some believe that this increase in technological communication can distance relationships in the long run. Sherry Turkle discusses these concerns in her essay, "No Need to Call” by incorporating others experiences

Jenna Wortham challenges negative views of digital communication by arguing “In my experience, however, I’ve found the opposite to be true, especially as more and more of my daily interactions with friends, colleagues and family happen through a screen. If anything, the pervasiveness of technology in my life has heightened my desire for actual one-on-one meetings” (396). Wortham is describing how texting has enhanced her relationships with others. This is because it makes it far easier for her to make plans and communicate with her friends and family when she isn’t with them. Texting is almost like a tease to actually being together, in her eyes it makes her want to talk to and spend time with someone even more. Social media gives us the ability to communicate with family and friends who live in different states and even different countries at the touch of a button. A huge advantage to digitally communicating is that you can choose when you have time to talk, you aren't obligated to answer a text message immediately like a phone call. In addition, many people value texting and social media, as they were originally created to allow people to keep in contact when they're not together. Wortham mentioned that in a study by Pew Research Center’s Internet Research project of 2,252 adults, “Seventy-four percent of the couples surveyed reported that the Internet had had a positive impact on their relationship. In addition, 41 percent of 18-to-29-year-olds in serious relationships said they felt closer to their partner because of online or text-message conversations” (396). Wortham utilizes this study to argue that in reality many people feel that the Internet has benefitted their relationships. Digital communication provides a sense of comfort to those who are around their loved ones and friends, it can even help people feel