Pros and Cons of text messaging

[golotomer]

I know text messaging can have advantages but I personally get irritated when people want to substitute texting "all the time" instead of a phone call and also the texting lingo used that I consider to be part of the dumbing down of America.  I thought I'd like to make a list of my pet peeves and likes about texting and see what the general feeling is from a larger population.  Here is my quick list.  I'm sure there are more but as you can see I'm leaning more toward the cons. 

Pros:
1.you can text privately when you aren't able to speak freely or out loud (for instance when you are in a doctor's waiting room)
2. it's great to be able to get to the point without having to make small talk if you are in a hurry (meet me in an hour at McDonald's)

Cons: 
1. misspellings and abbreviations which are convenient for people when in a hurry but are not teaching the younger generation to spell properly. 
2. Things can be miscommunicated easily and misunderstood.
3. Lack of personality.
4. It can take longer to discuss an issue by text than just picking up the phone! 
5.  Autocorrect sucks! (yes I know I can set up my phone to not do this)
6. It takes too long to text on my Droid phone than one with buttons (and I have little fingers!)

[walksalone11]

Pros, can text really fast.
Cons probably stole the device they are texting on 

[bjohnson16]

I find that you can text message when you want to make a list to be picked up on the way home and it is great to remind kids when you need to remind them of something.

But I think a con is that sometimes when you text something it losses something in when you don't talk to someone on the phone.

[sdecaro558]

I think the only major con of text messaging is that it can be unsafe (people texting while driving or walking).

[golotomer]

I agree that text messaging is a great way of making lists and sending the to your phone.   BUT..I usually do that on down time when I'm not driving.  There are always voice commands and recorders where you can take "messages and thoughts". 

Even watching or setting GPS coordinates can be detrimental if not used in the proper way or time. 

[mom2taz]

Pros, can text really fast.
Cons probably stole the device they are texting on 

LOL!! @ walksalone11

I love it when people think outside the box...hahaha

[jcribb16]

Great thread, by the way!!

One con is when someone can't call you or talk to you in person about something that is considered argumentative or bullying, so to speak.  Such as a situation with my DIL - she would rather have sent ugly texts than call and ask or talk about the situation.  It's kind of like a coward hiding behind their cell phone.

A pro for me is the quickness of communicating when on a tight schedule just to touch base with someone.

[constance312003]

I agree about the dumbing down of Americans with texting, but I think there are many other things in America dumbing down this nation.

[mx3madman]

Texting can be useful at times ...It can also be unsafe!!

[walksalone11]

Pros, can text really fast.
Cons probably stole the device they are texting on 

LOL!! @ walksalone11

I love it when people think outside the box...hahaha

Hey....don't encourage that Walks fella.......he's kinna out there some times.....

[golotomer]

I agree about the dumbing down of Americans with texting, but I think there are many other things in America dumbing down this nation.

I totally agree with you on that!

[Linda67]

Great thread, by the way!!

One con is when someone can't call you or talk to you in person about something that is considered argumentative or bullying, so to speak.  Such as a situation with my DIL - she would rather have sent ugly texts than call and ask or talk about the situation.  It's kind of like a coward hiding behind their cell phone.

A pro for me is the quickness of communicating when on a tight schedule just to touch base with someone.

I'm new at this texting stuff....old dog is trying to learn new tricks, but, what's DIL?

[daspoiled14life]

I personally LOVE texting as opposed to actually talking on the phone. Part of that is because I work a front desk & answer phones & talk to people 8 hours a day.

Pros:
1. You're able to have a personal conversation without anyone around you hearing.
2. You can hide your "attitude" with the person
3. You can refer back to what a person said later on in case of confusion

Cons:
1. It's easy to take something the wrong way because you can't tell the mood of the person you're texting.
2. You can't text and drive. (legally)
3. If you're like me you have multiple people texting you at the same time and it's easy to confuse conversations.

[golotomer]

I'm new at this texting stuff....old dog is trying to learn new tricks, but, what's DIL?
[/quote]

Daughter in law

[dayezee]

I'm all about keeping up with the times but I never got into the texting scene, yet I like sending email and IMs.  Go figure.  I find it comical to see faces buried in these little phones every where I go.  I'd so much rather hear a person's voice or talk to them face-to-face.