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Whether you like texting or think it demoralizes society, it's here to stay. Teenagers are texting addicts who would rather text back and forth with several of their friends than actually talk to only one. Sometimes they do both! Text messaging can be a great way of making quick contact with someone 'on the run', or sending them a reminder, or even sending a picture of something. It has become 'the' form of communication for many teenagers.

While some may feel that texters are rude, and they can be, I like that my daughter texts me. She might not want to call and risk an argument, or maybe she just needs to let me know she's ok. She quickly types out a text, even if it just says 'gone to J's, home 8, lv K' It allows us to keep in contact, and it also gives us a safe way to talk at times when she might fear talking to me in person. She can text me and we can 'chat'. Sometimes we talk later, but sometimes we don't need to. Texting is a great way of keeping tabs on your teens and getting them to open up to you. It's also more cost efficient and allows you to choose to talk or not.

I learned I would soon be a grandma by text message. I received a picture of the sonogram of that grandson by text. My grown kids sometimes send me a text just to let me know they still love me. What could be better than that?

The problem with texting (and other technologies) is when people abuse it. Texting during school, especially sending answers, is not good. I have 'caught' my daughter texting during church, a definite no no at our house. I have seen high school teens use texting to talk about another teen in the classroom or send a joke that disrupts class. I have also seen people text while they drive, or text so much they miss the rest of life going on around them.

These are the cons to text messaging. But eliminating the good texting can bring because some abuse it is not good. Will we some day have 'texting' laws? Probably, but in the meantime, parents can help us all out by teaching their children 'text' etiquette and making sure they follow those rules. Texting has expanded my world in many ways, but it can also be misused by those who get carried away with it.

Learn more about this author, Angela S. Young.
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