my communication technologies

i'm probably not as involved in as many communication technologies as others, but i do take advantage of it a little. my main ones would be mobile phone (using the multimedia messages and abusing the text message features) and email, although now that i have moved away from home i'll prob use blogs and instant messaging a load more to chat to friends and family.
over time it seems that the use of these technologies has moved from a practicality to a social use and to establish one's status. my first mobile phone was when i was in year 11 in 2004 and best feature of mine was that it could compose it's own ringtones (it wasn't the most advanced but was still pretty flash). at the time the main purpose was for socialising with my friends through text messages, but as time went on it became more practical just for short communication between myself and my parents. this usually consisted of "yes, i'll be home at 5" or "can so and so please come over today". i think that because of this communication it also put my parents at ease and they let me stay out a little later with the knowledge they can call me to find out where i was or i could call them if i got into any trouble. these days my phone is used for practicality, because with a few years i have become wise to the cost of socialising over text messages, and since i have resorted to other forms of socailising (most popular with me would be going to hang out and go skating... usually free!). the mobile phone that i currently have can do loads more than want i utilise, but it all costs money.
this world of the internet as a social epicentre is quite new to me. in the past i have only resorted to the internet for answers to my questions. "when did Munch paint The Scream and why?" and "where is the nearest pet shop?" (unfortunately it doesn't provide answers to questions like "what is the answer to this philosophy essay?"). i think now that there is distance between me and my friends and family the internet is definately going to be more of a social tool.