Does texting make us bad writers?

            There are many benefits in the usage of technology in today’s modern world. Majority of the time technology is used to communicate a message, whether it is used for professional reasons or to communicate with another person. Texting can be beneficial in ways such as easy and fast communication instead of having to call someone, texting is cheaper and can be used with WI-FI instead of using calling minutes from your plan. Although technology is a big contribution to modern classrooms today, many have argued that texting affects students writing skills.

            I do not agree that texting has an effect on writing skills. Yes, in today’s world we do have slang, phrases and emojis are being used on a consistent basis. Although cyber slang is being used and words are abbreviated as well as symbols to get thoughts across rather than type everything out, I do not believe this can be harmful within the classroom. I think it is used that way to be a faster way of communication to get a message across. Many times there is a certain character limit and a message wants to be communicated so it is shortened so that it may fit the character criteria.

             Many believe that texting makes students bad writers and that they transfer their language of technology onto paper in school. It is still yet to be considered that texting is a world-wide phenomenon today. It continues to be argued that students are becoming poor writers yet those in college still use texting just as much or even more than younger developing writers. We must differentiate between appropriate academic language and texting language. Texting should not be mixed with academic language and success. Teaching and instructing students about their boundaries with language and its appropriate uses will help prevent the use of abbreviations and slang within the classroom. 

             I believe that as educators we have to distinguish the difference between educational language and what is appropriate to be used within the classroom. Students are able to distinguish what is appropriate but as educators we must get students to understand that there is a difference between “at home” language and educational language.  The problem of spelling is nothing that cannot be fixed.

             Overall, I believe that once we establish what is appropriate language and spelling for the classroom and what is appropriate at home, texting and the usage of “cyber slang” should not be an issue.