Trey Songz’ single, “L.O.L. :-)” has proven what has taken over the lives of young people nationwide.
Text messaging was invented to display short informative messages on alphanumeric pagers. But now that 82.4 percent of the U.S. population are cell phone subscribers, according to switched.com, this has advanced mostly to cellular phones.
Reviews.cnet.com, a Web site that rates all digital devices, listed the Apple iPhone as the top selling cellular phone of 2009. The high-tech phone allows cell phone users to text, watch videos, browse the internet, map quest locations and much more. The iPhone is a social tool that is used by users daily in order to keep connected to others.
Even when it comes to inter-personal relationships, technology has become the third active member.
“Not knowing the tone or real emotion of the person, you can always take it [the message] the wrong way,” said Nathon Green, 25, a third-year public relations student from St. Augustine, Fla.
Sometimes emotions are not clear through text, leaving the receiving individual to play the guessing game. Someone could be yelling at you, but their true anger can come across as if they are joking or talking loudly.
“Text messaging keeps a conversation flowing because you are always awaiting the next messaging,” said Gavin Carter, 20, second-year business management student from Tampa.
When it comes to relationships, text messaging can be a best friend or the worst enemy. Some issues should be discussed over the phone or in person. A prime example of this is breaking up through text.
Although breaking up with someone can be very hard and emotional, some feel text messaging makes it simple and easy to end a relationship or courtship. This also makes it less personable and even rude if you are the one getting broken up with.
“You should respect that person enough to break up face-to-face,” said Darriel Clark, 22, fourth-year pre-physical therapy student from Washington D.C.
Another division of this communication is sexting, the act of text messaging someone in the hopes of having a sexual encounter with them later, according to Urban Dictionary.
According to the study Sex and Tech released by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy in collaboration with Cosmogirl.com: one-third of adults—36% of women and 31% of men ages 20-26—said they have sent or posted such images.
“I feel sexting is sometimes appropriate, but only for special occasions,” said Elaine James, 23, a fifth-year health science student from St. Augustine, Fla.
This non-verbal form of communicating has become common practice for many young adults.
“Texting has made talking easier because you can say things you normally would not,” said Cayla Snow, 20, a third-year international business student from Cincinnati, Ohio.