I’m pretty sure that more people should have a Handicapped Sticker hanging on their rearview mirror for the world to see, including myself.

A new form of being handicapped is sweeping the campus and the United States, as being “Socially Handicapped” has become a plague that is traveling from coast to coast.

No, I don’t actually consider this an actual handicap that is worthy of a sticker or in the same conversation of other handicaps, but for comedic purposes and this column, I’m going to, so relax.

We live in a world where children are going to be born with their heads facing downwards to genetically assist them with staring down at their tablets and smart phones, as Darwin said, “survival of the fittest.” It’s pretty sad in all honesty.

With the integration of social media into people’s lives, they are finding ways to carry on with conversations online that they would never think of having in real daily situations.

I’m completely guilty of this as well, and as a journalist, sometimes I do have to think to myself, “Would I really say this to someone’s face?” when I’m writing an opinionated article on a weekly basis.

Sitting behind a computer adds confidence to someone who generally lacks it and they are much more likely to speak out online than if approached in a social situation.

A good example is Facebook, where everyone feels entitled to give their two-cents, even if they’re “saying” it to someone they wouldn’t dare provide eye-contact with walking across campus.

You see numerous Facebook posts where dozens of people start chiming in, giving their feedback and somehow insulting one another in extremely personal ways.

Would any of those people say their incredibly hurtful insults to the face of the person if they were to meet in real life?

Definitely not, but some are as ignorant on the internet as they are in real life.

Another instance of the disease known as “Socially Handicapped” is how some guys/girls have the confidence to flirt with someone online when in person, they will never, ever have the guts to talk to them.

I mean, it does make some sense; girls are indeed intimidating creatures, but that doesn’t mean flirting with them online should substitute for the real thing in person.

Also, you’ll have to talk with them in person eventually if you are interested in pursuing a relationship or even a friendship, so just go talk to them!

Elizabeth Kramer | The Informer

It’s weird because I do that with some of my close friends, which is even more deserving of that “Socially Handicapped” label that I stick on myself.

I can hold a conversation with a buddy on Facebook, Twitter or texting about any random thing that comes to mind, but in person, I don’t have anything.

No train of thought, nearly no acknowledgement is made between one another, it’s the oddest thing and concerning as hell to me.

In theory, I should be able to talk to my buddies just as easily in person as I can through my computer or iPhone, but nope, it’s pathetic.

I’m curious how many other individuals on campus are also in the same boat as me when it comes to this social awkwardness in real life that they don’t feel online?

There’s this social and moral wall that writing something on a computer or phone screen provides that allows people to act much differently than they do in other social situations.

I would tell you to put down your darn phones and go talk to your friends in person, or the girl you’ve been crushing on…but I’d much rather sit here on my computer and tell you.