Texting VS Writing: The Problem with Instant Messaging

Posted October 26, 2006

Category High School, Middle School, Technology

Q: When is talking on your phone not talking? When it’s texting!

At the ripe old age of 25 I thought myself to be fairly au courant — that my online skills weren’t at all lacking, or needing of improvement. That is until I added my 13-year-old cousin to my messenger service. Every time I chatted with her online I revealed just how much of a dud I was, and continually had to ask her what acronyms like ROTFL meant (rolling on the floor laughing). Not to mention BRB, GTG, LOL TTYL-see side panel.

IM Lingo

GTG— got to go
BRB— be right back
BBL— be back later
L8R— later
LOL— laughing out loud
NP— no problem
TTYL— talk to you later
TTFN— ta ta for now
ROFLOL— rolling on floor, laughing out loud
OTP— on the phone
JK— just kidding
IMHO— in my humble opinion
IMNSHO— in my not so humble opinion

This kid is only thirteen — how could she possibly be cooler than me? Where is she learning how to do all this stuff? Turns out, my cousin isn’t the tech-wizard trailblazer that I originally thought. In fact, instant messaging is THE hottest communication method for the younger generations — almost any electronic device can be used to “text” a message to one’s peeps (or people). Don’t believe it? Turn on MTV or Much Music during one of the live request shows and watch as the side panels scroll along with what looks like the alphabet on crack. These kids know IM’ing — it’s among their top social communication method.

Some kids have cell phones by the time they are in first grade. Before they can even spell, they can text their friends: WRU? [where are you?] or CUS [see you soon].

Call me old-fashioned, but I find this a little concerning.

Don’t get me wrong, instant messaging is a great tool for social communication, but it can cause some serious issues the classroom, especially if your child is just developing writing/spelling/vocabulary skills. During the early education years, texting could be detrimental to proper language development. Here are some of the reasons why.

Spelling — vocabulary is key skill in early education. The first grades are all about vocabulary lists, and spelling tests, not to mention sentence writing. Spelling can take a hit when kids, during this critical learning time, use short forms before they know the whole word, let alone how to spell it.
Grammar — A big part of grammar is punctuation. It takes years to learn how to properly use it, and even then punctuation can be a landmine for mistakes. Online messaging has practically no punctuation, and is basically a grammar free-for-all.
Complete Thoughts — another key skills that IM has a blatant disregard for is that of the complete, cohesive thought. The major challenge in writing is to be able to express an argument clearly as a complete thought: with a beginning, a middle and an end. One word sentences that are prevalent in IM don’t help to develop the complete thought skill – they detract from it.
Homework — it’s hard enough to stay focused on homework without being distracted by the chiming alerts of a messaging system every few seconds. If your child struggles to complete his homework, be sure that he signs out of IM before he begins so that he can dedicate some uninterrupted time to focus on the task at hand: homework.

IM isn’t all bad — I’ve been known to partake on occasion, when I just don’t feel like talking. But then, I already have a firm grasp of our language and how it’s used. Once kids develop strong language skills, then they can start learning all the variations, like IM — after all, it’s a great social tool for staying in touch with friends — but it needs to be kept distinctly separate from proper language development.

So maybe my young cousin taught me a few things about IM (okay, she taught me everything I know) but when it comes time for her first university essay, I’m sure that I could show her a few things.

WDYT? [what do you think?]

In future articles, we’ll talk about keeping an eye on IM chats (read monitoring), IM bullying and keeping your child’s online profile free of personal information.

Sandra

I FEEL SO SMART NOW. I am a dork -_- <—– thats a dork face
Robbby-bobby92

i think that this is very helpful and i thank you for this because i needed this article so thank you thank you!
Helper

i am using this as a reference for a paper that i am writing but i cannot find your name so if you don’t mind can you please tell me the name of the author of this article pleas and thank you
Rachel

Hi, I found you article interesting and something to ponder. I am having trouble with finding my own opinion on this subject, but this article is rather convincing. I am just 13, however I am an exception to the rules. I rarely use text speak. The only “online talk” I use is making my words many many letters longer, just because I like to mash my keybroad. For example (my facebook status): “havvvinng a faannntastic timmeee in school. ;D ” But, it really bothers me when ppl tlk lyk ths & dnt bothr 2 rite anythng rite. I find that so retarded. xD Well, there you go, an opinion from a young teen.
J-DAWG

WAT UP PPLZ – FYI IMO U DUN EVEN KNOW WAT YAS ON BOUT AIGHT? I’m 14 and have been texting since like grade 3 and it seriously hasn’t effected my grammar or punctuation. If anything i believe that since i have been using messenger, internet chat, texting and what not from a young age that it increased my grammar and punctuation skills. 100% on last 3 English tests what what.
Trin

You know, I’m sixteen and actually have no interest whatsoever in owning a cellphone. :I;; But I’m a rare case, I suppose. Anyways~ It’s not just spelling and grammar that is being affected by texting. (While there are some who are smart enough to separate professional writing and casual writing, this isn’t always the case.) Where I live, the girls in my school don’t just WRITE in chat speak on their homework, but they’ve actually come to the point where they’re speaking it in everyday conversations. And that’s what concerns me. Another thing that I’ve noticed. It’s not necessarily the phone’s fault that kids these days can’t speak proper English. And it may not even be the “texting language” itself. A lot of my friends who don’t use chat speak are bad at spelling and grammar, and even I didn’t learn grammar until late middle school/freshman year in high school, have issues with grammar. OTL;;;; So, in my opinion, early education should do a better job teaching students how to spell and use grammar correctly, that way when they get the “txting addict” point in their lives, the students will be knowledgeable enough on how to use the English language correctly in professional writing. Also, cellphone companies should give bigger word counts so people don’t need to use chat speak. >:C;; Farewell~
love to text but never dose

i think first graders are to young but i love to text ( im in 8th grade )but i only text if theirs something wrong like family or friends got hurt but other then that i use it to call family, some people do take it over bord like my friend shes a text addicted,
cry me a river 300

i lovvvvvvvv 2 txttttt msggggg!!!!!! dontt uuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!??????????!!!!
Giann

What the heck is texting?? But whatever it is I am aginst it!!
Sydney

Hi, I’m Sydney and I am 13 years old and I might be wrong or something, but I personally believe that children at that age should not have a cell phone. It effects their writing skills while they are still growing! It shows them that they should not care what they write or say. So, all of these people who say they love “texting” well try looking at your English grade. If you keep this up you will use incorrect spelling and grammar. So I totally agree with this article.
Sincerely,
Sydney from Colorado
tido

thats so dumn i never got my phone taken away lol
tido

ha ha suckers
Jack

I liked Jenn’s comment on Jun 20, 2008

What will they do when they have to write a resume? Or their first book report? IDK!
It might be interesting to think the reader of the resume or book report may allow for texting or IM-ing variables due to such an overwhelming social acceptance.
Jack

Oh, and the use of acronyms is a great way to learn a lot of information for tests etc. lol
dissertations writing

In this era of blog ,we easily get nice & updated information for research purposes… I’d definitely appreciate the work of the said blog owner… Thanks!
Survivor

Hey, I am 18 years old and I have survived those 18 wonderful years with out a cell phone. I was priviledged on my 18th birthday to get a phone. The deal? No texting until I get a job and can pay for it myself. Personally, not having a job yet, and not having texting, I am still here and don’t personally care to even get texting on my phone when I do get a job. Why text? If you’re so desperate to talk to the person you are texting…why not call them?! If it takes you an hour long texting conversation to get a point across, why not call them?! I just find it pointless to text. Sure I can see it being ok to text in an emergency…but wouldn’t it just be faster to…call the person? That way, in your emergency situation the person you would be contacting can hear your voice. Texting, or text messages don’t show emotion. You could be meaning one thing in a text, when the person receiving it could think you’re saying and meaning something totally different. Like sarcasm. Unless you hear a person’s voice, you will have no idea if they are being sarcastic or not.
So again, I find texting to be pointless and dissocializing. If you want to be social with your friends, don’t text, but actually hang out in person with them.

-Survivor
http://yahoo.com shane steelflex

texting does not cause a loos of grammar. im currently in 8th grade and i am passing writing with exceeding standards and i text constantly. whoever is affected by texting and in result loses knowledege is clearly a dumbass and shouldnt be texting in the first place.
http://risagettler.com risa gettler

What is: I M-ing?
Margol

I would also like to use this article for a paper I’m writing about the affect of texting on students in an EFL classroom. Would you please send me the author’s name?
Brett

Hey man, I don’t want to single you out as an idiot, but I just watched two people your age write in perfect English. Now I’m reading your comment, wondering what your teacher is on. Let me help you with your spelling first. I believe the word you meant to use when you typed “loos” would be “loss.” The second thing I’d like to highlight is the fact that you’re supposed to capitalize the first letter of ever sentence. in regards to what you wrote in your first sentence–we aren’t complaining about a loss of grammar, it’s a degradation of grammar. Last point because I don’t feel like correcting anything else, I’m going to restructure your last sentence so it flows better. Whoever is affected by “texting” (in quotes because it’s not a real word) to the extent of grammatical failure is a dumbass (I’d come up with a better word, by the way) and shouldn’t be allowed to text.
Long story short, congratulations kid, you just proved his point. Hopefully, your English teacher will teach you the seriousness of proofreading sometime soon. @shane steelflex
OriginalCin

Heya, Brett. Proofread your own stuff much? Hypocrites, I swear.

As a contribution to the thread, though…I think “txt” speak is a crutch for the feeble-minded and lazy. If someone is capable of typing, spelling, punctuating, et cetera, they’ll have no problems making transitions or writing an entire thought to completion.

If someone learns incorrectly, is never encouraged or required to use proper writing, or simply doesn’t care, then by all means…let them be left out of the top-paying job positions. More advancement for me! Mwahahaha! I’m not saying it’s always going to be the *student’s* fault (as it could and probably IS the institution of education’s influence or lack thereof), but I believe that if someone really wants to do well and figure out how to write, it can be done.
amor

This article is very beneficial to mine. I am writing a paper entitled “CELLULAR PHONE USAGE: ITS EFFECTS TO PUPILS’ SPELLING PROFICIENCY”. I humbly ask for the author’s name to be able to use this as my reference.
Thank you so much!
Pingback: “Textese”- The Language of Texting | Millennial Youth
Juliette M.

Hello, I am a fourteen year old year and when I text, I use proper english. I have an iPhone, therefore, I have access to a full keyboard. It bothers me when people have access to a full keyboard and they talk in “text lingo”. If you still don’t have a full keyboard, it’s very hard to type, “Hi, Mom. I just got off the bus! What’s for dinner? I am starving! Anyway, I love you! I will see you later! Bye (hugs and kisses).” When people have access to a full keyboard and they use “text lingo” is uncalled for. Granted, some terms would be acceptable, for example, LOL. Wouldn’t it be awkward if you found something funny and instead of typing, “LOL.” You type, “Laughing Out Loud.” or “I am currently laughing out loud.” So, basically, my point is, texting does not erode the English dictionary, unless you allow yourself to do that.
Jeff Segal

Your article on texting vs Writing is absolute dead on for the new generation. If they don’t build the correct structure in reading and writing and using texting acronymns to communicate Ameria is in a hole lot of trouble moving into the future.
http://agdg amiah

yep
nikki

who is the author of this article?
need it for referencing purposes
http://www.oxfordlearning.com Martina

Hi Nikki

the author’s name is Martina Lavoie