By: Louis Falcinelli
SINGLE WORDS, EMOTICONS, Oh… and other fun things for your brain to decipher…
With the words used in the texting lexicon not exactly resembling the English language, the supposed side effects, unfortunate accidents, mishaps and promotion of social isolation, among other possible out causes attributed to this new phenomena, known as texting, has many, previous generation no doubt wondering, is texting really driving us mad?
As the technology of conversation only continues to develop, with the way we receive, relay and distribute, making it more accessible to say much without really having to converse, has a generation of bottle rotters against the grain of what many perceive as madness.
Rundown of facts:
TWD (Texting While Driving) 1,600,000 accidents per year – National Safety Council 11 teen deaths everyday – Institute for Hwy Safety Fatality Facts Nearly 24% of ALL car accidents. (Approximate average) 44 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. (NCSL)
SIT (Socially Isolated Texter) Researchers at the University of Maryland studied 200 students after 24 hours of no texting or any media, found many of them were basically experiencing withdrawal, anxiety, and difficulty functioning.
Hyper-texting, texting more than 120 times a day, can lead to an increased risk of smoking, drinking and drug use, physical violence and sexual activity (study released in 2010 by the American Public Health Association reported). With the rise in a new way we communicate, it’s both an exciting though unpredictable entrance into the main stage of communication, with the youth obviously leading the way in this revolution.
Will it call for a mandate, moderator, or be given free rein, remains to be seen. What do you think or, WBU?