In Sunday’s editorial letters, I read a letter by Bob Shilling of Salem who voiced his concern about today’s youths lacking communication skills. While I agree with him to an extent, I’m learning to see another side of this topic.

I am editor-in-chief with HR & Talent Management, a source of what’s new in the human resources industry. One of the most contested arguments among HR professionals is whether Millennials – those born in early 1980s to the early 2000s – are prepared to enter the work force because of technology or completely lacking in necessary skills due to their constant attachment to their mobile devices.

Most Baby Boomers and Gen Xers see this new generation as being unable to connect on a personal level to other humans. Many blame this disconnect on being raised in an era where social media rules.

Millennials post pictures of their meals on Instagram. They automatically update their workout through their FitBit app. They text each other while sitting in the same room.

This may sound foreign and unnatural to generations who grew up without the Internet. Yet studies continue to show that Millennials are far from unattached. In fact, they are completely in touch with those around them. They just do it differently.

Millennials grew up with social media being the norm. They get their information from hashtags on Twitter and trending topics on Facebook. They find friends and jobs through technology. Advertisers even cater to this trend with specialized sites or links directing consumers to specific products.

This constant barrage of technology isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It has taught the generation to seek out their own information and to access multiple sources before making a decision. It has added to their independence rather than being detrimental.

While it is yet to be seen what will happen with the children of today and the children of Millennials, it may not be as bad as it looks. Yes, they’re on their phones and tablets, but are they interacting? Kids, my own included, relax and unwind with technology. Yet they are not in a world all their own. They chat with school friends on Facebook. (I used to have to wait until my older sister got off the phone.) They play video games with people across the world. (I had to beg my siblings to play with me or play by myself.) They post their artwork on forums and discuss it with others their age. (I did not even think to discuss my drawings.)

My children still have friends. They still go outside and play on warm days. They speak politely and have appropriate manners. Maybe that’s because I’ve taught them, as Bob suggests, that technical devices are not permitted at the table. Except maybe to take a photo of your plate to post – later – to Instagram.

While we need to ensure that our children and grandchildren are learning and functioning in society, we should be wary not to force them to do it the way we do. Next time you feel frustrated that a child is on his device, ask what he is doing. Perhaps he’s talking to friends or making new ones. Perhaps he’s learning in ways that you never could. Innovation and progress are about transforming what is normal. Let’s encourage this generation to go beyond us, using the tools and technology that they have at their fingertips.

Laurie Esposito Harley is a community columnist. Email her columns@tribtoday.com.