Social Media Ethics - Or Lack Of!

Have you ever been out with a friend and received less attention than their bloody smart phone? Whoever seems to be writing on whatsapp or Facebook Chat seems to fit higher in the peaking order than the person sitting in front of the culprit!

I will never forget an incident where I was informing a close friend that I had recently broken up with my long term girlfriend! A 5 year long Relationship coming to an end - I would hope that such a conversation requires your undivided attention!!! And midway during our heart to heart, I noticed that what I had mistaken as deep contemplation and thoughtful listening was in fact a faced!

What I had taken as a deep compassionate glance was targeted under the table and was followed by a painfully skewed and irritating smile... I asked, what's so funny? I mean I had just exposed the haymaker

"I don't know I have just made my life's biggest mistake"- his response was

"sorry bro but have you seen Marco's latest  Facebook status"

This followed numerous apologies - but the damage had been done. 

If you are reading this commentary while hanging out with a friend/group of friends/ special someone... Well please stop reading and be mindful that the person who has made the effort to get dressed, meet you somewhere is more important then your friend who is just passing time whilst on the shitter!

I guess I am just a man trying to embrace technology but feel we need to introduce some self regulating ethics- it's a major new mean of communication - but it happened so quickly that we have not allowed ourselves the time to put ethical conduct in place! If you share my frustrations, I welcome suggestions on how we can do something about it?