Texting turn 20 years old

     It has been 2 decades now since the first text message was sent and changed the way we communicate forever.  Turning dinner time from a family talking about their day to everyone sitting in silence, staring at their phones and listening to the clicks of little buttons.  Even when I go out to eat I see families sit down and immediately pull out their phones to see if anyone has text-ed them in the past 5 min.  Kids are no longer socially engaged with their parents, but instead sit in silence at the table and stare at their phone. I have even witnessed kids text their parents even though they are just downstairs. Does this hinder the building of a person's social skills and personality?  I'm sure restaurants don't mind the less noisy atmosphere, but when I go out to eat I go for the experience and the company. I can eat food and stare at my phone from my kitchen table.  I now have a daughter and I worry about her future, will this effect her life?  I'm sure it will play a role as technology plays a role in everyone's life, but everything needs to be used in moderation. Well back to the article that sparked this blog.  This article talks about the "text message", it's evolution and the future.