What Kids Are Learning While Texting With Their Friends

There is no denying that texting has fast become the number one way teens (and some pre-teens) are communicating. This ultra fast and some would say slick way of interacting has left this generation of kids facing some new challenges as they take on the world of cyber space. While some parents despair of ever seeing (and having a conversation) with their teenager without a vibrating phone in their hand it is important to understand the ramifications of texting for teens in today’s society. Whether you feel one way or the other about the proliferation of texting here is just some of what kids are learning about texting-

• It connects them socially. Where it was once the cool thing just to have a phone today’s teens that may not have texting feel out of the loop. Kids can communicate instantly by simply sending a brief message. It has become a fixed part of their world and acceptance socially often means having the ability to text. The other side of this argument leaves parents wondering how teens can ever really connect when it is all done over the phone. Stories abound of teenage couples on dates who never speak to each other and simply immerse themselves in texting or friends who spend hours sending text messages back and forth to each other rather then walk a few blocks to each other’s homes. There is no arguing with the fact that excessive texting takes the personal out of interpersonal relationships.
• It empowers them. Teens are always looking for a sense of independence and texting gives that to them. They are able to communicate with a large number of people easily and quickly and this gives them a sense of empowerment. However the dark side of texting enables teens to harass and bully each other without facing the ramifications of an in person confrontation. Teens feel able to text and send messages that they would never dare say in a face to face conversation. Whether overtly sexual in tone or harassing these text messages are often sent without the ability to discern the damage. In addition many teens have fallen victim to “sexting” which is the sending of sexual messages and pictures. This is often done without regard to the potential consequences and damage to reputations that can occur when this happens. Clear communication with your teen about what is and is not acceptable is crucial since there must be guidelines to follow. In addition parents should regularly check their teen’s text messages to determine if the guidelines are being followed.
• It gives them creative language skills. While your English teacher may disagree, texting has its own set of language rules. Teens are constantly updating and creating a new text language. While language purists may disagree that this is creative, using a texting language allows teens a new medium in which to express themselves in a vernacular that will be associated with this decade. Just as decades past had certain words like: groovy, awesome and sick, today’s teens will have their language associated with their texting. However many worry that for those teens who are over texting, language skills can suffer. If your teen is participating heavily in texting and ignoring schoolwork it might be time to limit the texting and get them back to reading and writing the true English language.
• It allows them to multi-task. Today’s teens can text message, operate a computer and perform a number of other tasks all at the same time. While some people may feel that this multi-tasking is not productive, others would argue that most people today take on multiple tasks daily. However efficiency experts state that multi-tasking is just doing several things at once and not really doing anything really well. If you find your teen constantly engaged in texting, working on the computer and other tasks all at the same time it may be time to limit him or her to one task at a time in order to improve productivity.