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Hewitt

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19 April 2017

Texting: Is it a Good Thing or a Bad Thing?

Todays world is a new world. Today, society is filled with new technology that a

majority of the population has access to. This new technology has completely changed the way

society and the world works in general. The human race has become far more advanced in some

ways thanks to this. A text message, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is a short

message sent electronically usually from one cell phone to another. Texting is a common

complaint for parents of teenagers, as the younger generations tend to be enamored with their

cell phones and texting. But, there are studies that texting may actually be a good thing, for many

reasons such as better overall literacy. Texting has changed the way the world works and while it

can be seen in a negative light, such as with texting and driving and bullying, it can actually have

a positive effect, as seen in communication and relations with others in young people, an increase

in literacy, and an improvement in overall mental health.

Many believe that texting and communicating this way in general is a very bad thing. A

negative side to texting is the fact that often, people text and drive and this causes many

accidents and teen deaths. This backed up through statistics, as 1 in 4 car accidents in the United

States is caused by texting and driving (Texting and Driving Accident Statistics). Also, an

argument is that often, young people or people heavily invested in their phones are stuck to the

screen and are unaware of whats occurring in the real world. It is also often argued that texting
is one of the main contributions to bullying, as About 1 in 10 teens engage in text bullying

(Text Bullying Bullies That Use Text Messaging to Harass Others).

Though there are statistics, its clear that there are limitations within these arguments. For

example, texting and driving is a negative thing but it is also illegal. It is not supported and while

texting may have some contribution, its not necessarily only texting that is an issue, as there

were distracted drivers before texting. Also, the idea that teens are only on their phones is

something that is misconstrued. Overall, texting is actually seen to improve relationships

between young teens and parents. Parents have a way to keep track of their children yet not be

too intrusive on their lives. According to a survey by Samsung Telecommunications America,

53 percent of teen respondents and 51 percent of parent respondents felt that text messaging

improved teen-parent relationships (Adamski). Finally, texting and bullying is something that

needs to be ridden of, but bullying occurs everywhere. Its unreasonable to blame one method of

positive communication for bullying, when bullying occurs over other internet sources as well as

in person.

Texting can seem annoying, especially for specific people who often overuse texting. And

texting and driving and texting and bullying are absolutely negative side effects of texting. But,

overall, texting is a great thing. It improves communication and makes it easier for various

cultures and people to become connected. Also, texting is seen to improve literacy in young

people. According to the article Could Texting Be Good for Students? researchers have found

that texting can improve teens' writing in informal essays and many other writing assignments

(Snyder). Teens write more overall in their daily lives and it can help them be more creative and

improve their grammar and writing. Also, texting is seen to actually improve mental health in

some people. Texting is seen to improve moods in those with mental illnesses, as shown in a
study, University of California Berkeley researchers who learned that people who felt

depressed, isolated or alone felt more connected and cared for when they received text messages

asking them about their moods and the positive things they experienced and reminding them to

take their medications (Foley). Also, loneliness is something that can actually become a factor

in whether or not someone develops a form of arthritis, so it has actual health benefits that

improve the human body (Foley). So, texting has a positive impact in these situations.

Texting is simply a tool. When used correctly, it is positive and important. When used

incorrectly, it becomes negative, as with any tool. Texting while driving and bullying are

negative consequences when used incorrectly, something that cannot be blamed on texting as a

concept. Overall, texting keeps the world connected. It is important to remember that there are

other uses of quick and easy communication; email, IM, and calling. Texting is something that is

simply used most often so it receives most of the backlash and criticism.

Texting and social media changes the way the world does things but in a new and positive

way. Faster than ever now, people can communicate easily. This brings people together and

connects the whole world overall. Everything needs moderation, and should the world find

moderation, there are no negative sides to texting. Further advancements in texting will help to

shape the world and the future.

 Reilly Grealis

Hewitt

English

19 April 2017

Work Cited

Adamski, Barbara K. "10 Bad Things That Can Be Good for You."

Reader's Digest, Trusted Media Brands Inc.

Foley, Denise. "The Surprising Health Benefits of Texting." Completely You,

PaliMedia Inc.

Snyder, Edgar. "Texting and Driving Accident Statistics." Edgar Snyder and

Associates.

"Definition of Text Message." Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Merriam Webster Inc.

"Text Bullying Bullies That Use Text Messaging to Harass Others." Bullying

Statistics.