Appearances may be deceiving, as someone looking at their phone may be seeing nothing.

Faux-texting is when someone is in a public situation but instead of interacting with the people around them, they pull out their phones to avoid social contact.

For some, faux-texting provides security in situations where it may be lacking.

Senior Adam MacMillen said, “I [faux-text], because it gives me somewhat of a sense of comfort or safety.”

For others, it may just allow them to avoid social interactions.

“I faux-text to get myself out of awkward situations or if I’m around people that I don’t want to be around,” said freshman Alix Jones.

Junior Treston Johnson also faux-texts “to avoid making eye contact in the halls […] with other strangers.”

One example of faux-texting would be when someone texts their friend, tells them to call them, and get them out of the awkward or uncomfortable situation they are in; this happens a lot with dates.

Walking through the halls of Carlisle High School or even down the street in town, people use faux-texting to get out of awkward social situations.

“It’s just kind of habit now… It’s pretty common at this point; it’s rare to see someone walking down the hallway not on their phone.  It’s just second nature at this point,” said sophomore Megan Lebo.

Faux-texting has its benefits. MacMillen explained, “I think that the benefits of faux texting are giving you that sense of comfort and not having to make awkward conversation with people we don’t know.”

Although faux-texting may have some benefits it also has downfalls when it comes to the decrease in social interactions among society.

Jones explains that “everyone now is so used to being on their phones, that when you see someone in person, it’s awkward and your phones just there to help get you out of the situation.”

“I think it definitely is becoming the norm in our society because the way tech has shaped and molded our society makes it difficult for some people to start a conversation with somebody they don’t know, and making it look like you’re busy makes it easier to avoid uncomfortable situations,” MacMillen added.

As we see an increase in technology, we may also see a decrease in the ability of people to communicate with each other.  In light of all of the issues our society is facing, we may need to learn to put our phones away and look each other in the eyes.