Text Messaging

Let’s take a look at text messaging. Webopedia (2012) defines ‘text messaging’ as, “Sending short text messages to a device such as a cellular phone, PDA or pager. Text messaging is used for messages that are no longer than a few hundred characters. The term is usually applied to messaging that takes place between two or more mobile devices.” Text message also limits the use of the proper English language. As more and more people send text messages to each other, they are increasingly using acronyms, chat acronyms, shorthand, and smileys. Although the use of acronyms, chat acronyms, shorthand, and smileys are acceptable for text messaging, I found that people, especially teenager tend to carry that over into communication areas outside of text messaging. Text messaging is one of the most utilized forms of communication today. Everywhere you turn, people are texting. People text at school, work, church, in the movie theatre, and even while enjoying dinner with their family. Text messaging seems to have become a way of life for people of all ages. Personally, I have notice that people will text in order to avoid oral communication and see it as a means to convey their information without having to have a physical conversation. Because of the popular use of texting messaging, it has been blamed for tragic ending because texting and driving. Many States are no banning the use of texting while driving, in an effort to control the use of this technology. Text messaging is a great combination of technology and communication, but as with anything it should be used wisely.

Text Messaging. (2012). Webopedia.com. Retrieved December 2, 2012 from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/text_messaging.html