No need for verbal discourse, today’s teens have mastered the art of “texting”…
September 25th, 2007 by Kellie Fronk
According to a recent article in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, “Last week, the California state Assembly voted to ban the use of cell phones — with or without a hands-free device — by drivers younger than 18.”
As this new technology begins to spread to users of all ages, it has become not only convenient, but deadly in this generation of teenagers. The ban of cell phone use by young drivers is a step in the right direction, and many states are soon to follow in the protection of our youth.
Living with a 17-year-old text message addict, I know first-hand how consumed the teen/tween demographic is by this new technology. Wireless providers are capitalizing on the popularity of the technology within the adolescent community. Check out one of AT&T’s texting ads! Although it may be an easy solution to getting information quickly, is it deteriorating this generation’s ability to verbally communicate with each other?
Yes, I text, but I have never used the technology in place of a phone call to have a lengthy conversation. Not once have I sent/received over 12,000 messages in a month, as my teenage sister has proven to be possible. If my math serves me correctly, that’s roughly 400 texts a day! I’m not sure where the obsession began, but texts have become an expensive, superfluous way to communicate. A recent article on eMarketer.com breaks down wireless communication and documents the growing rate of texting in America.
It has to come to a point where this generation of teenagers is typing to each other more than speaking with one another. They send texts to each other from across the room, or while in the same house. Are texts taking the place of verbal discourse? Who’s next?
This entry was posted by Kellie Fronk on Tuesday, September 25th, 2007 and is filed under Rants and Raves. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I think this opinion skews a little to the conservative, fear-mongering side of things Kellie.
Texting is a classic example of an innovation no one asked for. Many things (the wheel, fire, the cotton gin, steam engines, the Internet, cell phones) were designed in order to fulfill a need. Other things (designer handbags, five-blade razors, women’s grooming habits, iPods, and texting) were invented when there was no demand. The need was injected into public consciousness via advertisements and marketing.
Is texting really so bad? It’s been shown to improve overall grammar in young people. They aren’t looking a gift horse in the mouth in Asia and Europe where the entire culture around mobile phones is very different. America is just now starting to catch up.
If recent trends have taught us anything it’s that emerging technologies have to be embraced first and questioned later. If you don’t capitalize then the next guy will. Isn’t this a demographic that advertisers are hungry to target?
September 27th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I am not against texting, I use it all the time. In my opinion, based on only a select number of teenagers, it seems obsessive. I don’t want to ban text messaging as a technology, I think preventing inexperienced drivers from using it while operating a motor vehicle is necessary.
From my understandings of the senior class of Honeoye Falls Lima High School, texting is the way they talk to each other, rather than making a phone call. It baffles my mind, but I don’t think texting is “bad”.
I was just shocked by the amount of time spent using this new technology, thinking back to my years in high school, (not so long ago
and not even having a cell phone.
Yes, texting is here to stay, and I’m happy-just worried my sisters thumbs will develop arthritis before the age of 25 due to excessive typing on a tiny keyboard