Some employers are growing concerned the face-to-face communication skills of young people are suffering as they become more skilled in texting and social media.

"It's one thing talking through texting and on the computer," said Dianne Griffin, human resources director for DP Murphy, a Prince Edward Island restaurant chain operator.

"It's another thing talking to a guest across the counter and making sure that you're giving them that positive guest experience."

Some P.E.I. schools, such as Vernon River Consolidated, offer students the opportunity to brush up on their phone skills by taking over the office duties during the lunch hour. Student Carley MacLean told CBC News the practice is a good opportunity.

"A lot of people text," said MacLean.

"We probably call once a week and text 99 per cent of the time."

Student Haley MacLeod knows she has trouble communicating over the phone.

"Even when I'm talking to my dad on the phone, I'm always like really awkward," said MacLeod.

"I barely talk on the phone."

UPEI sociology professor Benet Davetian believes it is a real concern. Students need to get better at thinking on their feet, said Davetian, and speaking comfortably and effectively.

"What your major is matters nothing once you get in the corporate world. If you can speak, you're in," he said.

"Those are the people that get hired, because what are you doing in the interview? Speaking, you're not texting."

Davetian thinks there should be more of a focus in classrooms on informal communication.

For mobile device users: Are young people's phone and face-to-face communication skills suffering because of texting and social media?