point out the one advantage text messaging has had on parent-teen relationships. She explains how college students in particular use texting as a quick, easy way to keep in touch with parents from hundreds of miles away. The final point brought up by Holson is again a negative. She tells of cell phones distracting from family time such as dinner, family movies, or family vacations.
One proponent of texting, Ms. Turkle, mother of a daughter in her teens, had particular trouble with this last example of family interference. Holson tells the story or Ms. Turkles trip to Paris with her daughter: Ms. Turkle recalled a vacation with her daughter in Paris, where she hoped to immerse her in the local culture and cuisine. Part of the idea of Paris is being in Paris, Ms. Turkle said. But during an afternoon stroll, her daughter received several calls and text messages on her cellphone from friends back in Boston. Her daughter, she said, felt compelled to return every one (Holson). This example proves exactly how texting has invaded every corner of teenagers lives, and, as a result, invaded the lives of parents, siblings and other relatives.
In both of these presentations on the topic of texting/instant messaging, one important aspect is drastically overlooked: the teenagers perspective. Both of these articles work well together to show the more negative aspects of this new trend. Unfortunately, since these articles were written by members of a generation unfamiliar to such forms of communication, the many positive effects texting has had on teens are left unaccounted for. Even the attempts to show positives, such as improved multitasking skills are coupled with negatives. Nothing is mentioned concerning increased relationships among teens and their friends due to the convenience and speed of text and instant messaging. It is now possible to know what friends are doing just by typing a quick message.
Neither of these articles bothers to point out the kind of creativity and thought put into creating an entirely new cyber language. Not only did youngsters create this language, but they spread it like wildfire throughout the country. A teenager from Queens can talk to an acquaintance in rural Alabama using any combination of established instant messaging acronyms and know exactly what the other one is saying. Instant messaging also allows for teenagers to communicate with friends they have moved away from.
After I moved from Missouri to Alabama, the most convenient way to communicate with old friends was instant messaging. I could talk to several friends at once without having to run up the phone bill with long-distance calling, a pro my mother greatly appreciated; however, neither article addressed these points. The reasoning for the exclusion of the teenage