Text messaging is quickly turning cell phones into instant electronic Post-it Notes that have overtaken verbal conversations.

According to a recently-released report by the company Nielsen Mobile, which measures billing activity, the end of 2007 was the first time cell phone users across the board texted more than they phoned, and in the following two quarters the average number of texts per subscriber increased 64 percent. The age group that texts the most, 18- to 24-year-olds, averaged 790 monthly text messages - versus 265 calls - in the second quarter of 2008.

"A phone is for conveying information," University senior Jethro Higgins said. "I text way more than I call. I don't like talking because it seems like you're having a personal interaction, but that's just false."

Higgins is not alone.

Texting permeated the University long ago. Roxann Prazniak, associate professor of history in the Clark Honors College, teaches small classes and hasn't noticed significant texting in class, though she said when class is over students reach for their phones.

Even love letters have been reduced to "i luv u."

"I don't think me and my girlfriend ever actually converse over the phone," Higgins admitted.

QWERTY-style ­­cell phone keypads, which have the same configuration as computer keyboards, have been a catalyst for the increase in texting. The Nielsen study found users with a QWERTY keypad sent 54 percent more text messages than users with ordinary numerical keypads.

University junior Laura Guerrero has an iPhone with a QWERTY keypad. Equipped with her mini-keyboard, she only makes calls when she needs to have a real conversation. "I text constantly, all day," Guerrero said. "I don't want to lose touch so I text to check in."

Mark Blaine, a professor in the School of Journalism and Communication, sees students texting mostly in his lecture halls. He said that it's bothersome, but just another addition to the list of distractions, joining the ranks of laptops, iPods and smart phones.

"I got my first text from a student last spring," Blaine said. He noted that the activity has undoubtedly increased since he began teaching.

"It's such a valuable tool," Blaine added, "but I don't know if we've figured out the etiquette of it yet."

hhoffman@dailyemerald.com

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools

Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1

Post a Comment

• Name: (required)
• Email: (required)
• NOTE: Email address will not be published
• Website:

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail

Email notify will not work because you are not currently logged in.
Click here to quickly login or create a free account.

Type your comment below (html not allowed)

  I am not posting spam. I understand posting spam or other comments that are unrelated to this article will cause my comment to be flagged for deletion and possibly cause my IP address to be permanently banned from this server.