Originally created to aid the hearing impaired communicate, text messaging has become one of the mostly widely used communication methods among all people. Since its conception in the early 90’s, popularity and text usage has grown tremendously. Each year, the amount of text messages being transmitted has grown from hundreds to thousands to now billions.
Who is texting the most? Market research has shown that regions in Asia such as the Philippines and South Korea are among those with the highest text messaging usage. Philippine mobile phone users average about ten texts per day per user. Behind them are European countries such as Finland and Norway. The United Kingdom has reported that each week their occupants send over one billion text messages! No wonder cell phones have become spam targets in need of spam filtering. The United States follow behind Europe in their usage of text messaging. Mobile phone users in the US sent about 188 texts per month on average.
So, who is texting the least? Believe it or not, even though Japan was one of the first to embrace text messaging, they are cited as one of the countries who have the least amount of text usage. Many believe that this is due to the invention of mobile internet e-mail, which is used in abundance in Japan. With the ability for messages to be sent to and from any email address, whether mobile or not, this seems to be overshadowing mobile text messaging there.
The age range for texting popularity has seen a gradual incline. Young users between the ages of 13-22 still are among the highest group of those utilizing a text messaging service. However, studies have shown an increase in the 15-39 and 40-49 year old text users. As more and more businesses are utilizing this service as a means to stay connected to their employees, the adults are moving in on the teen texting business.
Text messaging has become such an important aspect of our daily lives many people have been quoted as saying it has become their number one means of communication with others. Educators worry that the abbreviated style of text writing is creeping into the academic work of students and impairing the quality of their written work. To this students have replied, OMG, LOL. Translation: Oh my God, laugh out loud.
For the time being, texting is here to stay and can be a great way to stay in touch with those around you. Be it for business or pleasure; grab your copy of the transl8it! Dictionary and glossary, warm up those fingers and start texting!
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