Since we're talking about TEXTING...

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

What do you think? Is it necessary?

I can't understand when DD uses 30 or 40 text messages to talk to a friend rather than picking up the phone. Am I the only one?

I see people texting when driving...causing traffic problems. I hear of kids who text all through class instead of paying attention to teachers...and parents who threaten the school with lawyers if they don't let the kids have their phones back. I've heard of text break-ups and all kinds of stuff that civilized people would never do.

Let's hear it. The good, the bad and the ugly.

 

[lovesmurfs]

DS14 and his friends can be playing a board game around the kitchen table and text each other instead of talking! It's a quieter game, but bizarre. I'm thinking that somewhere along the line the pendulum will swing the other way and people will start communicating face to face without technology in the way, but it'll be a while!

 

[Galahad]

It's not for me. Though DW and I, who are often apart for days at a time, have begun using it some and it's nice. But DS18 and his girlfriend do this pretty constantly. One month they had 4000 text messages between them. I don't entirely get it. Though I see some advantages. DS is in college - often in long rehearsals and such. He can receive a text while he's busy and answer it as soon as he's not. I think they like having a protracted conversation than no conversation at all.

 

[mjkacmom]

Dd12 may text a lot, but it amounts to about 30 minutes a day, total. When I was her age, I spent hours and hours on the phone with my gf's. Our schools do not allow cellphone usage in class, and they get taken away until after school, plus the kids get detention. Dd says it's rare. I cannot understand texting while driving, or any of the crazy things I see people doing.

I'm not a phone talker, so I like being able to text, email, or leave a message on an answering machine.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I see people texting when driving...causing traffic problems. I hear of kids who text all through class instead of paying attention to teachers...and parents who threaten the school with lawyers if they don't let the kids have their phones back. I've heard of text break-ups and all kinds of stuff that civilized people would never do.

I have the same concerns. I cringe when I see people text & drive! Or even text and walk! I recently read that a girl was killed while crossing the street because instead of watching for traffic she was texting. I've been nearly bumped into in public places because of people walking and texting. Don't get me started on how annoying it is to see texting during a movie at the theatre.

My dh is a teacher and although kids are not supposed to have phones in use in the classroom, they do text. Then parents make a fuss when the phones are taken.

I can see that texting is convenient for some circumstances, but overall, text usage is going overboard. If people can't drive, sit through a 2 hour movie, pay attention during a 45 minute class, or take the time to talk to a person within comfortable earshot without relying on texting, then that's a shame.

 

[luvtogo12]

I am guilty of texting a lot. Not when I am driving though. I don't hold a conversation via text. It is usually a quick question and/or answer or even just a reminder that I am thinging of someone. I have sent a text a day to a friend who was going thru chemo. They were words of encouragement, a note to let him know I am praying, etc. Quite often he was too sick to hold a conversation or even answer the phone. I wanted him to know that I was thinking of him on a daily basis.
I can send a quick message to let the kids know I am on my way home.

Nothing replaces a "live" conversation but it does come in handy at times.

 

[T16GEM]

Some times I think it's just more convenient to text if you only want to tell some one a quick something. Like "I'm just leaving" or "I'm going to be late" rather than getting into a conversation.

DH and I text all the time and so do most people we know.

 

[miss missy]

I hate it and love it too. Hate it for DD and the drama that it can cause. People get real gutsy when its not face to face! Love it when I can say, I am on my way and not have to get stuck talking for 20 mins!

Really, I would love to throw the cells out the window! They are sooo annoying. Feel like you have no peace anymore! This year, I am turning over a new leaf. I am not answering unless I FEEL like it! HA!

 

[Pixiedust34]

Dd12 may text a lot, but it amounts to about 30 minutes a day, total. When I was her age, I spent hours and hours on the phone with my gf's.
I'm not a phone talker, so I like being able to text, email, or leave a message on an answering machine.

You have a good point there. I was a phone talker at age 12, too! : ) I can see texting being a high-tech way for the tween and up generation to communicate with friends. My concern is when texting becomes an addiction and the texters (is that a word?) need to check for texts/send texts at all times. Texting while driving, walking, during a class/movie/etc. is excessive and can be dangerous. Texting in moderation is OK.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Paige


My two kids and their spouses use texting a LOT. Sometimes, for us to get through to either of them, Marie and/or I have to resort to texting them. It can be useful, in certain situations, but I do think the under 30 crowd (well, under 32 crowd for Vince, LOL) go overboard with it.

 

[golfgal]

Personally I love texting. I didn't until we got it for the kids last year. I would rather have them send a 3 second text then spend hours on the phone talking. It is convenient to send the kids a text while they are at school and then they can get that when they are allowed at school (lunch/after school). I often have DS16 run errands after school this way. I just sent DD13 a text to come home after spending the night at her friend's house. I know the Dad works nights so I can text her without having the phone ring. It isn't legal for kids to text while driving in our state-not that it stops them completely but it helps some.

DS16 is shy and he has been able to make friends via texting so that has been good. He does things with these friends in person but they keep in touch by texting so that has been very good for him.

 

[pfishgirl]

Now that I have my Rumor, my texts went from seldom to more then I probably need. However, I don't text & drive nor would I

Yes, I do like to text because sometimes you just can't find a private place to talk. Out in public, I don't need everyone to know my business but me and the person i'm talking to or texting to

 

[imabrat]

I use it because it's easier for me. I have hearing problems that make it hard to talk on the phone without saying "What?" after every other sentence.

 

[Charade]

I think it has it's merits. I have text and email on my blackberry. I prefer a quick text message(or email) especially if I'm asking for a phone number. If a get a voicemail, I have to listen to it and then write down the number then put it in my dialer. With a text or email my blackberry will know it's a phone number and I can dial directly from the message. It's also nicer when you don't want to interrupt someone with a phone call. But I don't understand using it to have a lengthy conversation.

 

[bballmom56]

I just wonder what will happen to interpersonal communication skills for the under 25 crowd. There's something to be said about talking with someone, hearing the emotion and inflection in their voice and reacting to that. You can bring up questions and issues much faster (which is probably why texting is so popular!). I am afraid they will lose the ability to effectively communicate verbally, particularly the very young kids who have grown up with texting and haven't had a chance to develop those interpersonal skills.

My son was on the receiving end of the "breakup by text" and let me tell you that is just wrong. It was a girl he had been with for 2 1/2 years, he was totally commited to her, and we had just taken her out to dinner. We considered her a part of our family. On our way home, he got the text.

As others have said, it is useful for quick update messages, but people have whole conversations via text! But I am sure it is here to stay.

 

[clgwli]

Sometimes using a phone is not something that can be done in some situations. Texting is great for that. It is also like having small e-mail for when you want to pass a message but know they are too busy to get it right then. I use texting a lot with my family, but it is because we aren't always on teh same schedule that allows us to talk.

 

[MyManGoofy!]

LOL! How old are some of you!! You sound like my grandparents did about the phone, then video games, then walkmans etc..! "These kids these days....!"

 

[Ephany]

DH hates to talk on the phone, so we text. It's usually 'I have the kid' or 'Heading out now' type messages so we give each other a head's up. I admit though if I have a quick question for someone who will keep me on the phone for an hour, I'll text them the question.

I use it more than I ever thought I would, but it is a nice feature when used appropriately.

 

[MushyMushy]

I enjoy my texting, and don't really mind when the kids do it. Most of my texts are between the kids and me. My son hates talking on the phone.

My daughter would probably text more if her friends had cell phones, but unfortunately they don't.

 

[LindaG4458]

I don't text at all and don't intend to (yes, I am older than dirt). In fact, I am asking my cellphone provider to block text messages. I hate having to pay for a spam text!

I was never into IMs either, maybe because my typing skills are not very good. Both DH and I would rather speak on the phone.

I'm happy that cellphones and other technologies were not available when I was a teen. Mom would have been a helicopter parent if the means had been available. I can just hear that phone ringing at an inopportune moment....