My boyfriend’s phone died this week, his charger at his sister’s apartment in Philadelphia.  This led me to a revelation: I am addicted to texting.  I sent him an email of all the texts I would have sent if his phone had been charged.  The email contained texts such as these:

 
“Good morning-hope you have a good day”

 “I got a 93 on my paper!”

 “Ugh remind me to tell you about what happened during soci today”

     Why do I feel the need to notify my boyfriend of the events of my day as they occur?  This same urgency applies when it comes to texting my friends. Not too long after sending that email, I texted my friend about our work schedule during finals week, which is weeks away.  I quickly realized my love for texting.  I love having the ability to tell people things right away and in situations when I am unable to talk on the phone. 
    My feelings changed that evening, when my mom texted me: “u got another overdraft notice today”. This was not something I wanted to hear at the moment, nor did I feel like explaining through a text to my mother my excuse for such an irresponsible mistake. 
    Texting is clearly becoming a large part of our lives, as phones are made with keyboards for this purpose, and UD’s emergency notification includes the sending of a text. So what’s the verdict regarding this innovative method of communication? 
    Texting is a great tool, but not something to be abused.  As much as I love being able to communicate with friends and family while in class or at work, I regret my dependence on the resource.  It has gotten to the point that where I have nothing to tell my boyfriend when I speak to him on the phone.  I have already texted him everything that happened to me that day. Texting is also a bad device for topics other than simple news.  It is not a good way to hold highly emotionally charged conversations.  Also, its dangerous to talk about other people through text.  Anything in writing when talking smack is an awful idea because it can be read by someone who you did not intend to see it. 
    Not only is there a time for texting, but a place.  Nothing bothers me more than when the person I’m talking to is clicking away on his or her phone.  I think the person to whom you are speaking directly deserves your attention more than the person you are texting.  One or two texts, okay, but please don’t have a full text- conversation through text while we’re hanging out.  Would you carry out a phone conversation while I was trying talking to you?  Another place to put down the phone is behind the steering wheel.  On my way back to my apartment today, I saw a college student driving with both hands on his phone, thumbs firing away.  What can be so important that you have to text it right then and there?
    I love receiving and sending texts that are simple, make me laugh, and don’t require a full- out conversation.  However, I do think it’s important that we don’t replace personal interactions with this new form of communication.     continue >>