Texting is the use of short message texts to communicate. This normally applies to mobile phones where text messages’ transfer forms a part of the service provided by the telephony companies. This service has been extended to incorporate emails hence broadening the amount of information that is included in the texts. Of late, texting has taken a new dimension whereby people chart just as if they are close to one another. This has resulted in people keeping to their phones for hours while communicating with their families or friends. By and by, this tendency has greatly reduced the need to meet face to face since the warmth found in interactions is availed.
Based on the foregoing, I totally agree with the observations that though texting is an effective way of communication, people tend to spend so much time on it as opposed to face to face interactions. There are a number of reasons that have seen the development of this trend. First, texting ensures privacy which is valued by a majority of the people. One could be seated next to you may be in a hotel or while travelling in a bus but you will get no idea as to what message he/she sends through the phone. When people talk and share face to face, privacy is greatly compromised unless they are alone in a secluded place. More often than not, you could tell the mood in a conversation by observing people talk. A picture of a marriage that is not working, a business that is headed for losses or a newly found love will clearly come out while talking is the mode of communication. Surprisingly, the same person seated next to you could pass a word or two about you without creating even the slightest clue. That is why many people and particularly the youth have embraced texting.
The other reason why texting is being preferred is because of it being cost-effective. Many telephone service providers have created an enabling environment for the usage of texting. This comes in the form of the packages that ensure a subscriber gets so many free messages to use in a day or over a period of time. Other services in the market offer the provision of absolutely free texting once you subscribe to them. This is the main reason why a majority of the population has increased their use of texting to communicate. Compared to talking over the phone or making great efforts to visit someone so as to meet them face to face, texting comes out as the most economical way to communicate.
Another factor which has favored the use of texting is the level of openness which cannot be otherwise reached. People are able to express themselves freely while using texts. Some things could not be easily said as they may bring some element of discomfort. Often, people send texts to their friends who incidentally may be seated just next to them. This is a clear indication that the message being sent across through texting may not be easily said. In fact, the youth would prefer to communicate all their feelings through texting than expressing them orally. By so doing, everything is planned ahead of the meeting leaving very little to discuss during the actual meeting. Anything, no matter how bad or good it maybe could be easily communicated through texting. It has been observed that texting gives one a free inner feeling that helps in communicating effectively. This has also extended to families where children have found a new model of letting their parents know how they feel about certain issues. Through texting, a child updates the parents on the happenings in school and also their expectations when they get back home.
Texting has another dimension: fashion. People tend to move with fashion which constitutes a new way of doing things. It also has an element of modernity. Today, it is fashionable to text or to be seen always doing something with the phone and not necessarily talking. As people endeavor to keep to this new trend, texting has become part and parcel of living. Just like fashion, texting is contagious meaning that it influences people in a big way. It has become the norm to associate with people who are conscious of current affairs. That is why students, in particular, are seen busy texting whenever they get an opportunity. Since they communicate with others, the web only becomes larger incorporating more and more people. This is so because one normally replies using the channel which brought the message in the first place. It is hard to send someone a text and expect them to call back. They will definitely respond to using the same model.
Texting brings satisfaction to the people using it to the level that the urge to meet face to face is depleted. When people communicate through texting, they psychologically assume to have met. Even upon meeting, the feeling that they together somehow persisted. Based on the above, it is good to conclude that texting has replaced the need for the face to face interaction.