Hi Kris. I have two comments. First, so much of these texting behaviors — and so much of all anxiety related issues — are about asserting control. There is a fine line as you know between checking on someone and keeping tabs. The line of demarcation is intent.

Second- I have this theory that one of the major problems with social media, which includes texting, is that there is no clearly defined etiquette that everyone has agreed upon. We are in desperate need of a codified set of rules, kinda like the ones that exist about table manners. Because texting is absolutely a form of communication, and the rules of its use are nebulous at best.

Say you and I are on a date (fingers crossed!) it’s not cool for me to bring up my ex, or burp at the table, or launch into a diatribe about politics or religion. How do I know this? Because somebody sat down with some other somebodies and they hashed out a framework of manners that we have all somehow agreed to follow over the years. It’s not like cavemen inherently knew not to do those things. Anyway…

If you’d like to collaborate on an article that addresses my insane theories, let’s talk about it over a date. I promise not to talk shit about my ex wife. That cool with you? 😃