Can We Talk?

When was the last time that you had a long drawn out conversation in person and walked away as if there was nothing said? Now imagine that long drawn out conversation is in an online forum or chat room. Do you think that because you can go back and re-read the post that the conversation would be more or less meaningful? Daily people send emails, instant messages, and Facebook status updates, which at times is only an extension of the drivel of what they would have said in person.
Can our society make a shift to social media for our communication when we have difficulty speaking to one another face to face? The Internet allows for it's user to join any subculture that may fit best into their niche of life. It can help the socially challenged to expand their limited range within our social caste system, but does that help that person better communicate when they meet their online companion in person?
Several days ago, a young man said that he was being bullied online and offline and there was nothing he nor his family could do. He said the reason that he was bullied was because of his "sheltered" lifestyle and everything that he was being harassed about was true. At first, his words fell on deaf ears, but as a father I worry about my children having difficulty communicating freely on and offline well; with something meaningful to say. I am not saying that the young man's words or lifestyle is wrong, but there is a clear inability for this young man to communicate in multiple arenas and that is where his issues rest.