With the advent of electronic communication, the art of communication by mail between pen pals appears to be a phenomenon that may have disappeared forever. In this era, communication via social media contact now appears to be the preferred mode of communication for the majority of people.

What is a pen pal?

The freedictionary.com suggests that a pen pal is “a person with whom one becomes acquainted through a friendly, regular correspondence”.

Historically and traditionally, pen pal communication has been with letters penned or written on various kinds of paper, mailed in stamped envelopes via local, national and international postal services and delivered to individuals in mailboxes by trained postal workers.

Millions of relationships between pen pals have been highly regarded over the years. Thousands of letters between pen pals have become valuable treasures to individual pen pals and their families, from generation to generation. Today, many people miss the pen pal phenomenon and still cling to their pen pal ‘posta’ relationships.

At the same time, thousands of people remain fearful of computer-based inter-personal relationships. Not everyone wants to take the time to learn how to use a computer, particularly in terms of pen pal relationships. To some people, electronic communication via the Internet seems like a cold, heartless mode of communication compared to the warmth of loving, pen pal relationships. Perhaps one might suggest that it is seniors and perhaps some, but not necessarily all baby boomers who miss their pen pal relationships, as well as this mode of communication.

Interestingly, many of those who have developed communication skills on the Internet do not feel the same of loss.   

Note that the need for inter-communication between individuals is not something that changes, while modes of communication invariably change from era to era. The truth is that the pen pal phenomenon has not disappeared entirely, rather that the pen pal phenomenon has merely changed its face and extended its horizons into the virtual world.

One might wonder whether this is a good thing. Most of those who are computer literate will agree that this transition in the mode of communication is for the better. To the vast majority, acceptance of new modes of communication seems viable, exciting and challenging.

Being able to communicate via e-mail, social media web sites and chat lines is wonderful, simply because of the time factor. Instant communication via the Internet does have merits that supersede other obsolete modes of communication, simply because of the potential to enhance interpersonal relationships and expand horizons.

Resistance to change in their mode of communication can present major hurdles for pen pals, until they become aware that electronic communication can be a more resilient and convenient method of communication.

Note that many pen pal relationships continue to develop in a positive direction for those who choose to upgrade their communication skills. Perhaps those who object to social media communication are justified to some extent in their fear regarding potential loss of privacy and personal identity associated with electronic communication. At the same time, people are and will always be risk-takers who love to communicate with others.

The transition from pen pals to social media contacts will continue, at least for those who are open to the transition from traditional pen pal communication to social media interpersonal contact.