What’s most challenging for me is that in my workplace, email is the primary tool that is used to make requests and notify people of problems that need to be addressed. So, the critical communication is mixed right in there with all the other stuff. “Interruptive mode” is the normal mode of operation in this environment. Also, we are encouraged to keep our IM tool on so we can be reached at any given moment (more “interruptive mode”).

I have also noticed that teens and young adults are accustomed to being in this mode with text messaging and IMing and I often wonder if this will result in them developing a different style where they don’t need (or ever have) uninterrupted time to concentrate on anything. They seem to be coping.