Has Texting Replaced Talking For Teens? 373
Hugh Pickens writes "Sue Shellenbarger has an interesting essay in the WSJ where she talks about the 2,000 incoming text messages her son racks up every month — more than 60 two-way communications via text message every day — and her surprise that 2,000 monthly text messages is about average for today's teenagers. 'I have seen my son suffer no apparent ill effects (except a sore thumb now and then), and he reaps a big benefit, of easy, continuing contact with many friends,' writes Shellenbarger. 'Also, the time he spends texting replaces the hours teens used to spend on the phone; both my kids dislike talking on the phone, and say they really don't need to do so to stay in touch with friends and family.' But does texting make today's kids stupid, as Mark Bauerlein writes in his book ' The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future? 'I don't think so. It may make them annoying, when they try to text and talk to you at the same time,' writes Shellenbarger, adding, 'I have found him more engaged and easier to communicate with from afar, because he is constantly available via text message and responds with a faithfulness and speed that any mother would find reassuring.'"
Re:2000!? (Score:1, Informative)
I was part of the "teenager" definition just few years ago and I believe I sent... 3 SMS in my whole life. Most of my friends also barely sent a handful, the worst maybe sent 10 per day. 2000 is just insane.
Your comparing 10 a day to 2000 a month.
Re:And next they'll want them to get off the lawn (Score:2, Informative)
I'm sorry, butchery of the english language DOES make someone dumb.
Re:And next they'll want them to get off the lawn (Score:3, Informative)
What else are we going to do during English? (Score:1, Informative)
If I want to ask someone if they want to go to in-and-out for lunch, I send a text.
I can't make a call during math class.
Re:It only took Americans 10 years... (Score:2, Informative)
Shouldn't it read 'Has Facebook replaced talking for teens?'
Texting was the 'in thing' when I was a teenager... and that was about 10 years ago.
Re:Wasting Time (Score:3, Informative)
Context is everything. Your entirely right in your analysis, based on the context you put them in.
But for an alternate view... this is how I use these two:
"I'm on my way".
I do this when I'm running late, usually with an eta either when I'm late or when I'm needed for something -- I get off work at randomish times so the time changes all the time. I don't need a response or a conversation, I just want to let them know when I'll be there so they can decide how to use their time until I get there. If it doesn't matter when I get there, then I don't.
Which pub, what time
When I text something like that, its not an 'opener', its because we've already agreed we're going out. Again I don't need a conversation. I just need to know where and when. I'll meet friends for lunch like this too... a bunch of them work toghether and pick a place every day. If I can join them, I just need to know what they've decided and when they'll be there... I'll save the conversation for the meal.