Texting VS Writing: The Problem with Instant Messaging
Oct 26, 2006
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.
Comments(42)
Find this article online at: www.oxfordlearning.com/letstalk/2006/oct/26/texting-vs-writing-the-problem-with-instant-messag/
Gabby - Oct 22, 2007
I think thats crazy kids in first grade should not have a cell phone its harting them in good speking and in wrighting parents should not be geting there kids cell phones
Richard Hurtz - Oct 31, 2007
I think your a flipping genius. We should mate.
cheyenne - Nov 6, 2007
i think that kids should have cell phones when they are young thats the only way were they can be free and learn while they are young.
Dr. Phil - Dec 4, 2007
IMing is a great way for kids to get friends and endure mental abuse by elders seeking to hurt them =).
reader - Jan 16, 2008
yeah, texting can be damaging to the way people prepare their sentences and phrases, but although I use this while chatting to friends, doesn't necessarily mean I'll use this chat speak in a formal paper for grading. P.S some comments need to be watched.. XD
Joe - Oxford Learning - Jan 17, 2008
We do our best to limit comment moderation. I try to allow anything that isn't vulgar but I would agree those comments were borderline, offered little to the discussion and have been removed.
Thanks Reader.
Caitlin - Feb 10, 2008
I'm still 13. I don't have a cell phone and it's my fault. My teachers confiscated it from me several times because I use it during classes. I think that's my only problem when dealing with cell phones. I'm grounded from it. XP. It doesn't affect the way I write. DISCIPLINE. That's all it takes.
P.S.
Gabby's post (or should I say, spelling) is hilarious. Good job. =]]
Krystle - Mar 5, 2008
I agree. Texting is the newest craze, but I don't think it contributes to the high brow education society respects. I also think that people prefer to text because they can be in control of the conversation... "oh, I am sorry, I didn't get that text" or "I was away from my desk, don't be upset" instead of dealing with the issues that life gives. It is so much easier to hide behind a monitor, no matter the size.
wendy - Apr 2, 2008
I'm researching teens and communication through IM and Texting and wondered what do teens/preteens feel is more popular? IM or texting?
Leanne - Apr 10, 2008
I dont think its bad
ashlee - Apr 21, 2008
no it is no a bad thing to do you can actually have fun and meet new people
Buddy - Apr 23, 2008
Iming is the way to go as a communicater or for just having fun.
Phlegmatist - Apr 26, 2008
Gabby=
I think thats crazy kids in first grade should not have a cell phone its harting them in good speking and in wrighting parents should not be geting there kids cell phones
Are you serious? Did you have a phone as a baby then?
Francis - Apr 26, 2008
You are all a silly, you are all a wrong, opinions poor, spelling worse, grammar worse still.
Francis 4eva.
brap
Jenn - Jun 20, 2008
Wendy,
I am a Matsters in Literacy candidate researching this topic as well. I find it interesting that a child would even stumble upon this page...they'd have to be looking for it verifying that they are interested in IM-ing and texting and the effectsit may have on writing. I think that the point of this article is that language skill; reading, writing, speaking, and listening, are all skills we develop from the time we are born. In our primary years we start to build the foundations for literacy later and the earlier a child is texting and IM-ing, the earlier they will deveop bad habits. The debate could get ugly.
What I find most interesting is that the point of this is poor spelling, grammar usage, and "taking shortcuts" in writing. Almost every post on here has characteristics of texting or IM-ing, and it's obvious that the kids who've posted on here took shortcuts. Not saying it's bad...just interesting. What will they do when they have to write a resume? Or their first book report? IDK! :)
~Jenn
The Cat in The Hat - Jun 22, 2008
i love to txt
Miss B*t*h . - Aug 2, 2008
heyy peeps ,
im only 14 years old right now , and my parents wont gimmme a cell , which relly sux man ! . i txt 3vryday ! . i need 2 txt 3veryday ! . ef i downt , ill die ! . and teens should have cell phones , er theyll feel so bored while theyre @ home and have nothin 2 do , i do lawts of stuff while im on a cell phone , i txt , i go on the internert , i go on msn , i chekk my mail , listen 2 music , and all that . so here`s to the parents whose readin this , give yer teen a cell if they dont have one ! . us teens get bored easily ! . we dont have mutch to get us entertained ! . give us cell phones ! .
Cassidy - Aug 5, 2008
I got a cellphone in gr. 1. the reason my mom got it for me was cuz i didnt have an older sibling. so if i needed help i could just call my mom or dad. but she didnt buy me a new phone. i just used my dad's old phone.
Ashley Morris - Aug 17, 2008
I do not think kids in the first grade should have cell phones. It's ridiculous. I mean they cant even really talk or write but they know how to text and IM and do all that. Its not right. Parents need to hold off on giving their children cell phones until they are at least 15 years of age.
Rebecca Martinez - Aug 20, 2008
First grade is a bit early for a child to be owning a cell phone. I agree that it can hender their ability to learn to read and write properly. Most people when they text or IM another person use acronyms and if that is how a child in the first grade is learning to write, I believe it will affect they way they talk, read, and write
lyne - Sep 9, 2008
waht are some causes?yahh their is a big effect of texting
elycia - Sep 11, 2008
...wow. I'm amazed at the great punctuation and capitalization in a lot of these posts. Not to be rude, but I'm not sure some of these people should even be commenting on this.
Tom - Sep 18, 2008
I think that there are both right and wrongs on this issue. I personally did not get a phone till about 14 years old, and my brother and I shared it whenever we went somewhere with our friends. It was in case of an emergency only. I didn't get texting on my phone till 16. I text alot, and I IM every day of my life, but that does not mean I'll use improper grammar in my papers or do worse in school. I'm a straight A student and get very good grades in English class. There isn't really a problem with cell phones at young ages, and at 13 or 14 years old, as long as it's controlled and monitored. It should also be limited during the school week to ensure that they are doing their school work as a priority over texting and IMing.
Britney Spears. - Oct 2, 2008
hey ya'll whats up.
i have no idea what any of you
are all talking about :)
texting is the hot new fad.
Brooke - Oct 2, 2008
If the texting language is to be accepted into the English language, we might as well start teaching children to talk that way as well. Doesn't make sense, does it?
Kyler - Oct 8, 2008
kids should absolutely not be allowed to have cell phones at such a young age. The U.S. test scores for spelling and writing are low enough as it is, and has steadily declined in the past decade as texting has become increasingly popular. But that's just a coincidence, right? hmmm...don't think so.
Jebria Burks - Oct 8, 2008
ReaLLY ummm KIDZ SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEM SELVES A CELL PHONE AND TEXTING IZ JUST ANOTHA WAY OF COMMUNICATION
Steve Campbell - Oct 14, 2008
Texting and IM has its uses, but I agree with the comment that it is not condusive to enlightend thought processess. It is really just an easy and perhaps lazy way to communicate. The fundementals of proper language usage should be a priority. What happened to the old fashioned way of communication through conversation and God forbid; writing a letter.
As for the individuals who say they need a cell phone because they are bored might try reading a book; if they know how.
Anna - Oct 14, 2008
I'm 14, and I can admit that I am A-D-D-I-C-T-E-D to texting. I love it(: I don't always use the 'texting language' but sometimes I do. Although at school I never do. I am disciplined. The thing I think is bad about texting and IM is that todays kids will not face eachother in certain situations. They need to learn to talk face to face with people (such as their friends) instead of relying on IM to solve their problems. Other than that I just think that all kids should learn reading and writing BEFORE they start texting and IM'ing.
Ericha - Oct 15, 2008
I'm 14, got my cellphone when i was 12. When i got my phone hardly anyone had one but now i walk down the streets and kids who are like 6 are texting and talking on the phone. I think kids should not get a cellphone until they are Atleast in 6th grade. And when they do get a cellphone they need to be careful cause if they text to much it Can affect they're learning.
:)
<3
Anna - Oct 15, 2008
Hello again.
Ericha, I agree.
I got my phone for my 14th birthday. I am still 14 and I turned 14 in February.
David Tuffley, who is a lecturer in the Griffith University school of Information and Communication Technology says
"Who would not want to abbreviate when you are constrained to 160 characters per message, and you have to write it laboriously with a telephone keypad? If you can leave out letters from words and still have them make sense, so much the better for busy people. Remove the constraints and the abbreviations will mostly lose their reason to be. Some abbreviations may cross over to other uses, but this is likely to be only a minor trend."
And I strongly agree.
And it has been proven that only 10% of the words in text are abbreviated.
Although I still don't think that kids as young as 6 or in the 1st grade should have a phone.
I think that teen years are a more appropriate time to get them a cellular(:
P.S.- Richard Hurtz, I loved your comment-it made me laugh.
You are quite commical, keep it up.
(:
Kelsi - Oct 17, 2008
im in first grade and i have a phone. im cool.
whats up?
(: hi anna
Anna - Oct 17, 2008
Hello Kelsi.
Okay, if I was your mother,
I WOULD TAKE THAT PHONE AWAY!!!
lol
jk
But I don't think you should have a cellular at that youngish age.
Kelsi - Oct 17, 2008
Just kidding.
im like 85 years old... minus 68 years.
so that makes me 17.
im oldish.
anna, you should makeeee cookiesss.. in the shape of phones.
Xang Wei - Oct 30, 2008
Harro everyone!!
I justt wanted to say that since coming to america everyone seems so ruvvery!!
Go texting!
jenn, mom of five - Nov 2, 2008
My concern is that I have seen kids put all of their heavy emotions immediately out there via technology. The false sense of security...i.e. hiding behind your own computer screen, means that the built-in system of checks and balances is no longer in place. Back in the "olden days", you had to pick up a phone---speak directly to the individual, or worse yet leave a message with their parents. Often the kids would find that strong emotions are not so strong hours later..but IM is an unfortunate means of kids putting-it-all-out-there with no way of taking it back, once you do so.
pattyb - Nov 2, 2008
Dude, grade one is wayyy to early to be having a mobile phone. By giving someone still developing in forms of communication an obviously inhibiting electronic device you are altogether altering their social development. At this stage they should be learning to talk face to face with friends, organising things up front etc... Anyways mobile phones are not meant to be used for long conversations, you shouldn't need to be abbreviating or altering words, i usually don't, in fact i find it more fun to use longer words "lol"
peace
cc - Nov 17, 2008
you shoudent text message
Margrit - Nov 18, 2008
I think that yeah texting is fun but letter writing can be fun too!
Alyssa - Nov 19, 2008
Texting isn’t bad when it’s used responsibly, people! I am fifteen, I text, and make great writing text scores and I have an A in English. Texting doesn’t make your grammar and spelling grades go down, it’s more like lifestyle, who you associate with, and other things. If you know you write G2G in a report for school, which some people actually have that I’ve seen, that’s absolutely stupid. It’s not texting, it’s the people. They’re obviously too immature, or stupid, or whatever to realize that “text talk” won’t work in school.
Please, stop blaming the cell phones, they need love too!
And also to Gabby, you’re the main reason why people think texting is bad. People like you, and the people who decide to text while driving. How stupid can you be?!
Alyssa - Nov 19, 2008
And plus, don't you think people should realize that TTYL isn't something you write in school?
Get a grip people!
Someone - Nov 23, 2008
I didn't get a cell until I started college--and that was only for emergency purposes--Yet, I did not spontaneously explode through the lack of texting.
I still don't text, but I'm alive after all, and with a social life.
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