Are you a textaholic?

Karina Barrantes
February 18, 2010
Filed under Community, News, Opinions and Views

Have you heard of the word textaholic? Textaholic is the new slang word for people who text more than they are supposed to on the daily basis. Today text messaging is the most widely used mobile data service.

In the United States, while texting is widely popular among the ages 13-22 years old, it is increasing among adults and business users as well. The age that a child receives his or her first cell phone has also decreased, making text messaging a popular way of communication for all ages.

Studies have shown that young adults who used shortcuts while spelling the words on texts have become worse at writing and spelling. Some adults think that texting in their presence is utterly rude. These people believe that texting takes away the value of having a real conversation.

Texting can also be dangerous. Texting while driving leads to increased distraction behind the wheel. Text messaging has had an impact on students academically by creating an easier way of cheating.

The use of text messaging has been banned from many schools because of the cause of harassment, threats to the school security, and cheating on tests. Sophomore Nathaniel Mullis says, “ Texting is one of those things that makes things better; if I don’t want to call someone, then I will just text them.” Text messaging has its own advantages and disadvantages.

One of the advantages of text messaging is that you can customize quick notes automatically to send to someone without having to type out a question or sentence each time. One thing that we like the most about text messaging is the ability to send a message to someone about something important very quickly.

Junior Sara Pate says, “ I like texting when I don’t feel like talking on the phone. Everyone has those days and I don’t consider myself as a textaholic.”

You can also update your statuses for Facebook or Twitter through texting.

While some love it, and others might hate it, everyone has their own opinion about texting. The only thing we know is that text messaging is going to stay around for a while–if not forever. Senior Anayensi Almazan says, “ I love texting because it is a great way to communicate with my friends.”