Yes, i've found that kids respond to text messages, and will ignore email if they think they don't want to read it.

When my niece was in HS, and living with me...I had a lot of problems with her on weekends when she was out. Calling her cell, sending emails...all would be ignored. But, a TXT msg, seems to be irresistible - they always got responses.

TXT is the way to go with almost anyone under 30.

Yes, but I'm not fond of it-I'm told I'm the world's worst texter. But DS always texts me, so I respond.

I think that was the world's worst invention. I'm a nervous nellie driving with my one granddaughter who texts as she drives and she's not alone in doing that, it seems to be a common practice. Yesterday on the freeway going through Chicago we passed a guy texting and driving.

Sorry, no.

Sue

MaryGail - I am sad to say - but your granddaughter could very likely kill you, herself, or some family.

I would NOT let the subject of texting and driving drop. It is LEATHAL.

I told my kids if I ever caught them texting and driving they would lose the phone and the car - indefinitely. Your granddaughter may be old enough to own her car and phone - but for the sake of everyone - make her stop.

Testing is a great non intrusive way to check in with your teenager or contact DH at work to ask him something without disrupting whatever he is doing to take a call.

Yep, agree with monica pa

Mosty I only text my 15 y/o DS. I can go days without sending or receiving a text. But when DS is out of the house, that is how I keep in touch with him. He is not supposed to use his phone during school, it is supposed to to stay off and out of sight. But earlier this spring when his high school was locked down b/c 2 kids took guns to school, the teacher of the classroom he was in made an exception. We texted about every 20-30 minutes during those few hours. It was a relief.

I am very slow at, and have a hard time letting my spelling and grammar slack for the sake of speed. So I end up with long, slow, but correct texts. ;o) I have to learn to let it go and be more brief. It can take me 10 minutes to get 10 words sent, and DS replies in 1 minute with twice the meaning. Kids!

No and no apologies here. I am a techy person, love electronics. I don't think I would like the small keyboard and there is nothing so important it can't wait or that a phone call can take care of.

Do NOT!

No. When I had to input names etc. into phone memory I had to write it down before I could get them right! And even that took forever.

Who pays for your GD's car insurance? Perhaps they need to know she's texting while driving.

I agree with Stargazzer - whatever I have to say can wait until I can call or email. If something is so important that it can't wait, maybe 911 needs to be called!

She is old enough to know better, a 28 y.o. teacher.

Yep, and I've even learned to punctuate. :)

I have to admit my ignorance here. I don't have whatever it is that you text on. Is it an iPod or Blackberry or something like that? I don't even have a cell phone.

I have been using a computer for about 15 years and thought that was pretty good for an old lady!

I was with a group of young people recently and my DGS who is 43 was texting somebody and he was asked why it was taking him so long. He said he couldn't do it as fast as the YOUNG kids. I thought that was real funny.

There have been many cases of accidents caused by the driver texting, and laws are being discussed re banning it. It just makes you think again: What are people thinking?

Texting is like so many other things in life. Take a good thing and abuse it.

MaryGaily, I would refuse to ride with her unless she promises to not text while you are with her.

Sue

Sure I do... but NOT while driving.

No!!! I cannot text. 36 year old daughter text her nieces and nephews like a mad woman at nite. They think she is the coolest. She thought I should take a go of it. Are you kidding? It is like learning a whole new language. I had enough trouble with French in school.

I'm not into texting and don't have a cell phone that does it. Frankly I don't see the need for it. I'd much rather hear someone's voice.

No, no need to and have no intention of learning.

Like breenthumb, took me forever to just get names and numbers in my phone memory.

i do for work and to send DH a quick message. work absolutely bans it while driving (i am at a desk all day), i think anyone doing so should lose their license and car. i don't even think people should be holding a cell phone while driving, get bluetooth installed thru your stereo or stay off the phone while in the car, period.

i have 12+ semi drivers (they don't txt and have bluetooth thru stereo), 3 sales people plus a bunch of nursery personel i have to be in touch w/ 24/7. i average 15 phone calls an hour to my cell ph plus i have a land line on my desk for customers. i am often on both phones at the same time LOL so texting is a HUGE time saver for me esp when i just need to get/send a quick message and having to actually make a call wastes time to me. we have crackberry storm's and i email them just as much as txt, anything i can do to avoid having to make another call i will do lol. i talk to more than 20+ people an hour for 9 hrs a day, anytime i can reduce that I WILL! i rarely use my personal cell after hrs or weekends and you can imagine why LOL! ~ liz

I have no idea how to I can barely find my address book on my phone

I have a sister, that sends text messages, but
it's not my favorite way to communicate. It's okay, if
you're sending a one or two word reply.

No! Our plan is very BASIC. No text and no pictures. Or, you can call us cheap. :)

Moni

On my trip to Chicago almost every semi we past were using cell phones. We need more companies like yours, trucks are dangerous enough with a cell distraction.

Absolutley...but not while in the car! I have to get my glasses out to see what I am writing! LOL It is such a great way to get a quick note, or to send one that you really don't need to talk to someone about.

Here in California, it is against the law to text while driving; and it is also against the law to use a cell phone for voice calling unless you are using a hands-free earphone (doesn't have to be Bluetooth - just hands-free).

And, yes, I do send/receive text messages, but never ever when I'm driving a vehicle.

No, I don't see the point.

Linda

Texting, like phones, instant messaging and email has its place but for me it's not much I need it. The last few nights it's been rather late and a couple people wanted me to call them. I am very, well often overly-courteous/cautious, depending on how you look at it about calling people at what for them would be odd hours. I know some people for whom 3pm would be interrupting their sleep. Anyway, I sent a text to them and asked if it was a good time to call. One sent back immediately and I called. But I usually use Yahoo Instant Messenger and the computer to send my text messages rather than a phone. First because it's free and my phone isn't and secondly I can use a standard keyboard.

Texting while driving is bad, no doubt, but there's also another one that's never mentioned and that's GPS units. Punching in stuff on that is as bad as texting.

I like instant messaging and email. It's far less rude than anything to do with a phone. And I take issue with anyone saying that it's less disruptive than a phone call. First there's the ring like a phone, then people instinctively grab it immediately - they can't wait, after all, someone sent them a text!!! and of course bring it up, read it and often there has to be an answer. Just the other night a friend from work got a new apartment and was kind of excited. His first place on his own and he's new to town and wanted to show it off. So I went downtown, spent nearly 40 minutes driving around trying to find a parking spot since the place has no assigned parking. Then when I parked about 1/3 mile from it and walked to his place, and believe me, these days with my legs, that's not easy. Well I got there and we were talking and it was less than 20 minutes before his *$#m phone started chiming away. A friend was having problems and wanted to "chat". I finally said why don't you just give him a call and I'll leave. And I did. What a waste of time. For all of us.

However there's been a time or two I send a text with some quick info with no response needed. I tell people not to respond unless required if it comes from my phone, since I get charged. Don't care if it's while I'm on instant messenger.

So it has its place but like most anything, it gets abused and when it's misused, it can be dangerous.

I do. For the same reasons as Monica.

I find the easest way to send a text is from my computer. I think most cell phone companies have this option on their website.

You can type your text and send it to the cell phone.

US Cellulars is easy - just put in the persons cell number (they have to be US Cellular) and your number (doesn't have to be US Cellular) type the message and type in the code that is show and hit send.

On US Cellular it doesn't cost to send it, and all US Cellular has free incoming text.

Yep! It's really a nice way for me to keep in touch with my DD's who both live out of state. We talk, also, but its nice to get quick little updates and pics.

Yes, I do, but I tend to receive more than I send. And the ones I receive are a lot longer than my sometimes one word reply. Unlike Evatx (smarty pants) I do not know how to use punctuation. That's a lesson for another day!!!

Cynic, a phone doesn't have to RING when it receives a text. The phone's owner can set it so that it vibrates when a text message is received, or so that it dings once, etc. If your friends' phones have a ringtone when receiving a text, it's because they want it that way (which speaks to their personalities, I guess).

One time very recently when texting came in handy was when I had to attend a meeting in downtown Sacramento - where parking is notoriously bad. The meeting was immediately following lunch, and I'd gone to lunch with my hubs, so he dropped me off at the meeting. When I knew the meeting was about 10-15 minutes from the end, I sent hubs a text message so that he would know to leave his office to come pick me up. The timing worked out perfectly -- I only had to stand outside for a couple of minutes before hubs showed up. If I'd had to call a cab (at taxpayer expense), I would have had to wait a whole lot longer outside in the heat (not to mention the cost to taxpayers). So, yeah, texting has a purpose.

I prefer voice calls, but text has its uses. I work casual hours, so my boss who is in a place which has dodgy phone reception, texts me to give me my hours. Call gets through and I have the hours written down where it's hard to lose them. Similarly I go to the city 200km away to pick up parts for my husband's business. If he wants something that's not on the list, he texts me- it's written down and he doesn't have to spell out the names or part numbers etc. I text DD sometimes (we talk often) as she lives far away and sometimes all I want to say is, "I love you and I'm thinking of you" without interrupting what she's doing too much. My 78 y o MIL can text as well- there's no age limit :-)
I don't do conversation by text- far easier and cheaper to voice call.

I text a lot, though not while driving. I have to be in court most days, and there's not a whole lot to do while waiting for my cases to be called, so I have text conversations with friends. My family also texts to figure out logistics - "I'm going to the store after work. Do we need milk?" "What time will you be home?" "Is Chloe's dentist appointment at 1:30 or 1:45?"

Often, the stuff I text is pretty minor, and I probably wouldn't make a phone call to say the same thing.

If I had a teenager or young adult in my family, I'd make sure I knew how to text and did it. Otherwise, I'd be missing out on a big way of keeping in touch with them.