One of the worst innovations in communication technology is the “read” status feature on messengers. It intensifies the already unhealthy and unreasonable expectation of constant availability that smartphones have created by putting pressure on recipients to respond immediately to messages and instilling hurt feelings or paranoia in senders. It makes it that much easier for controlling or smothering behavior between family members, lovers or even friends. If any technology fosters an erosion of personal boundaries and personal time, it’s this absurd feature. Just turn it off.
