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Chicago Tribune
Communication gap: Few college students go to school without taking a cell phone, laptop computer and a music player. This can be a curse as well as a blessing, said Glenn Sparks, a Purdue University communications professor. "Twenty years ago when students left for college they realized they were leaving home to establish new friends and contacts," said Sparks. "Today, some people never really leave home even though they are hundreds of miles away." Keeping in touch with old friends through phone calls, e-mail and even playing online computer games can turn into a trap that prevents students from making fresh contacts and fully engaging in their new environment, said Sparks. Young people tend to relate to each other more through technology, relying less upon face-to-face contact, he said. Even when they do get together, many young people watch television shows or play video games rather than talking or taking walks. "Too many Americans suffer from depression and other emotional health issues because they lack close, quality friendships," Sparks said. "Our increasing reliance on technology may only make matters worse."
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