Communication is the act of exchanging information between two parties. The advancement in technology has aimed to improve the efficiency of communication, convenience, and distance. Among the emergent communication technologies is the use of text messaging. Texting is the act of sending electronic messages using an enabled device over a cellular network or internet connection. The most prevalent text methods used are via Facebook, Twitter, Google Hangouts, and applications such as Whatsaap, Viber, and Telegram. Since texting is a form of communication, this paper analyzes both the positive and negative effects texting has on the other types of communication.
First and foremost, most devices and social media platforms that allowed for texting had a limit to the number of characters that could be used per message sent. While this allowed for brevity and speed in communication, it curtailed user expression. This resulted in the use of informal substitutions such as ‘u’ for ‘you’ and the use of characters to express the emotional state of the person communicating, i.e., emojis. This changed the communication pattern overtime. Subsequently, most users deviated from the usual norms of grammar, and a new online language was formed as a means of accepted communication (Kuznekoff et al., 2015). The result of this was most students are now unable to communicate appropriately, but rather prefer using short cuts such as HMU –for hit me up and T.L for talk later. This can be reflected as well in academic studies such as compositions.
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Texting has also negatively impacted face to face communication, especially among the youth (Drago, 2015). During free time, most students are found checking their phones and texting each other rather than sitting in the open and chatting. They are the most affected lot who engage in texting for coordinating plans. This has given rise to mass texting where the learners send one text to more than one person at ago. An example may be a text such as “what are you doing tonight”? They use the messaging for planning the night or the future with their friends. Texting accounts for 31% of their entire time spent on communication, while 56% and 31% is spent communicating and talking, respectively (Okeowo, 2008).
Studies have proven that people who text a lot are less likely to be open to talking face to face, than when they are on their phones (Drago, 2015). Most people who text have lesser social interactions because of substituting face to face communication with texting. Learners mostly lack enough time for leisure and therefore use the available time sparingly. As such, text messaging helps them in saving time. Furthermore, people who text regularly are more likely to get addicted to their phones. This points out that whenever people are communicating face to face, such as over dinner, they keep on checking their phones for text messages from their friends. In the downgrading of verbal communication, other aspects of communication are also lost. Some of the qualities found in verbal communication, such as understanding people’s tone, active listening skills, and the tips of becoming an effective communicator, are overlooked.
According to a study by the American Public Health Association, hyper-texting where over 120 times daily increases the risk of using drugs, drinking, smoking, sexual activity, and physical violence. Further, texting is not exhaustive, like verbal communication, and therefore tends to hook the messenger. This is detrimental, especially to teens who engage in texting while driving. For example, Aaron Deveau is a case in point where the teen took the life of Donald Bowley. Aaron had sent a total of 193 texts on the fateful day before causing an accident that took Bowley’s life and extensive head injuries to one of the passengers (Davis, 2012).
In recent years, text messaging over social media platforms has encouraged many users to have free expression during civil discourse. The traditional media used for civic discourse such as newspapers and journals were centered at a single power base. This is because the stories edited and decided on were from a single source and prone to government and outsider controlled tampering. Texting allows individuals to share their own views devoid of interference through anonymity and the ability to reach a wider audience. However, this may also increase intolerant social communication. Most chats, especially among the youth, contain vulgar language, which seems reasonable to them. When they use this vulgar language outside their peer groups, such as in schools, it could cost them detentions and suspensions.
Texting also promotes ambiguity and informality in communication. Since most people are used to texting, they are urged to send informal messages to their employers and friends over formal things, than to rather use formal channels such as e-mails. This has contributed to the deteriorating communication skills in the corporate world. Bosses are complaining that graduate job seekers are unable to write and speak effectively, considering that communication skills top the list of employable qualities. Sadly, this is qualities that cannot be taught to new recruits within the short training sessions for the new hires.
Texting has also contributed to laziness because the information is availed just by a click of the mouse. Misinformation are quickly passed on by the use of texts because people rarely do due diligence to authenticate what they are texting. Texting also impacts negatively on writing skills because text messages are used to communicate even in places where the use of phone calls are prohibited. The reason is that it is relatively easy to discreetly use a cell phone in places like schools, hospitals that distract the user. They end up using emoticons and shorthand, which is later translated into their formal communications unconsciously. It is no wonder to find that academic papers of chronic text users being fraught with choppy and short sentences that do not give any depth. They also lack the awareness of how to properly use phrases and words because it is usual for them to think things through.
However, negative the impacts texting has on communication, it being a form of communication, promotes the passage of data from one person to the other. Currently, due to the large numbers, it is the most effective way to send and receive data. Compared to other means of communication, its simplicity, ease, and cost-effectiveness have pushed businesses to accept it as a means of communication. This way, it has promoted the written communication channel even more. To add on, applications such as Whatsaap have added images that combine nonverbal cues inform of emojis. This has aided in combining nonverbal and verbal cues for the betterment of communication.
Texting, on the other hand, could prove useful to those who utilize it. Google keypads always offer auto-correction options for wrong words that are keyed in. This could help improve the grammar of those who wish to use it (Hyler, & Hicks, 2017). Additionally, a variety of words are offered as options, and this could also improve one’s vocabulary. These keypads also help one in identifying vulgar languages, as one can block these out of sight. This proves that texting could act a benefit. Notably, technology has amazingly and powerfully impacted communication ability. It is now possible to communicate with all people globally by simply stroking a key. Searching for information has also become easy because, within a nanosecond, multiple search results are availed by the search engines. By use of texts and e-mails, friends and families can conveniently connect, passing along all kin of information, thereby assisting them to remain close despite the geographical differences between them. Therefore, tests have eliminated the need to seek physical interactions because major activities can be performed without people’s physical availability. An example is sporting competitions with virtual competitors. The society has hence been rendered impersonal where facial expressions like smiling to convey thoughts are gradually being abandoned due to the use of the technologically provided emoticons.
In summary, technology has continuously been displacing face-to-face communication. On its part, texting has brought both negative and positive impacts on society. Majorly, it overshadows face to face communication and its benefits, promoting vulgar language and ambiguity, and finally worsens our grammar. On the positive side, it enhances the sufficient passage of information by combing various channels, and it could also improve our grammar. In the long-run, the factor that texting is a virtue turned vice emerges. It indicates that our actions limit the capabilities of texting, and it could be used to impact communication positively. Therefore, avoiding the pitfalls of texting is the route to effective communication.
References
Adams, J., Baker, K., Daufin, E.K., Ellington, C., Emanuel, R., Fitts, E., Himsel, J., Holladay, L. & Okeowo D. (2008). How college students spend their time communicating. International Journal of Listening, 22(1), 13-28.
Drago, E. (2015). The effect of technology on face-to-face communication. Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications , 6 (1).
DAVIS, L. (2012). Massachusetts Teen Aaron Deveau Found Guilty in Landmark Texting While Driving Case. Retrieved 13 January 2020, from https://abcnews.go.com/US/aaron-deveau-found-guilty-landmark-texting-driving-case/story?id=16508694
Hyler, J., & Hicks, T. (2017). From Texting to Teaching: Grammar Instruction in a Digital Age . Routledge.
Kuznekoff, J. H., Munz, S., & Titsworth, S. (2015). Mobile phones in the classroom: Examining the effects of texting, Twitter, and message content on student learning. Communication Education , 64 (3), 344-365.
