Are you a text addict?

The voice on the other end of the line is suspicious, verging on irritated. “Didn't you get my text?'' “Yes,'' I reply, brightly.

“That's why I'm calling.'' “Is your phone broken?'' “No, it's working fine, thanks.'' “You could have just texted me, you know.''

“I do know,'' I say, beginning to sound a little less bright. “But I thought it might be nicer to talk. Friends are supposed to talk.'' Silence.

Then: “Have you got post-natal depression?'' “Look, I just thought it would be lovely to have a chat.'' “Sorry, I have to go. You're being weird. This isn't a good time. Text me.''

This is how most of my recent conversations have run since I decided to make a stand against the evils of modern communication.

Mindful of prevailing medical advice that virtual relationships are no substitute for proper human contact, I abandoned blogging for bonding, Tweeting for talking and emailing for letter writing.

I thought it would be a personal epiphany, that I would find myself swept along on a tsunami of gratitude, surrounded by a laughing melee of delighted chums.

I was wrong. I've never felt less popular and more out of synch in my life.

I'm not a technophobe. After I gave birth five months ago, I texted dozens of people; I freely acknowledge that emailing is a fabulous way to keep in touch with the outside world; and I can see why MSN makes for an excellent distraction from school homework.

But a disturbing superficiality has been created by the modern vogue for these friendships-once-removed, based on endless banal exchanges rather than in-depth conversations or “face-time''.

A study by economists, carried out at the University of London's Institute of Education, has shown that for all our preoccupation with technology, people do need people; seeing friends and family every day is worth the equivalent of an £85,000 (Dh456,000 ) pay rise in terms of its feel-good factor.

So there I was, effectively offering my nearests and dearests thousands of pounds worth of life satisfaction - why were there no takers? “It's all about control,'' says psychology author Laura James.

“When you phone someone up, or talk to them in person, they can't control when or where the conversation is happening, or what's being discussed, and we've all grown used to having that control. The upshot is that we're losing the ability to make time for one another.''

Texting: social evil or useful tool? Readers say:

It's cost effective and one can be to the point while rather than just gossiping
-Naeem

Yes, I do think that texting ruins relationships. It should only be used when you cannot call or when you have to save money
-Atifa

Being a queen of texting myself, I would say sometimes we don't have the time to make a phone call and with text messages, we stay in touch for a few seconds keeping us connected.
-Hanan

To an extent, yes, texting is ruining our communication with others but it's ruining our language more.
-Reena

When I'm away from my husband and need to convey important info texting is perfect as he may be in a meeting with clients
-Shiuli

Texting helps us to communicate with our loved ones when we don't have that much money but want to say hello every day
-Cheryl

Texting is changing the importance of grammar and spelling, causing many problems because people simply do not know how to write formally and accurately.
-Jimmy