SOCIAL MEDIA & TEXTING TECHNOLOGY

Social Media & Texting Technology Interpersonal Communicative skills

Social Media & Texting Technology

Introduction

The cell phone is one of the most rapidly growing new technologies in the world (Rebello, 2010). In 2001, cell phone subscriptions were less than a billion worldwide with the majority of the subscriptions from the developed countries. At the end of 2010, however, cell phone subscriptions had reached five billion worldwide with subscriptions from developing countries outnumbering that of the developed countries (Rebello 2010). Cell phones have become quite popular in a short time among the younger generations. A study in Norway, for example, reported that almost 100% of 16 year-olds owned a cell phone in 2001 while less than 20% of 16 years olds owned them in 1997 (Ling, 2001). For cell phone users, this possession has become as important as wallets (International Telecommunication Union, 2004) (Billieux, 2007).

Discussion

Influence of Cell phones

Recent studies suggest that cell phones have evolved into something more than a basic communication tool, gaining its personal place in various aspects of social interaction. For instance, a qualitative study on Australian adolescents revealed that cell phones play an integral part in the lives of young Australians (Walsh, White, & Ross, 2008). Some of the participants in the study reported very strong attachment to their cell phones; they felt as though their cell phones were part of them. In another qualitative study, Bond (2010) examined children's cell phone use and concluded that cell phones were fundamental tools with which the children maintain and manage their relationships contributing to reinforced peer ties (Anna, 2006).

Cell Phone Dependency

Many people develop dependency to new technological devices as they become increasingly integrated into their daily lives. For example, some view that excessive Internet use, along with pathological gambling. Similarly, excessive use of and dependency on the cell phone may be considered an addictive disorder (Chóliz, 2010).

Concept of text messaging

The concept of using text messaging in academia has gained popularity in recent years and has permeated the various facets of higher education. Naismith (2007) reported on the effective use of text messaging in administrative communication where it used to augment existing communication channels with students. (Harley et al, 2007) report that communication with new students via text messaging has the potential to enhance the support given to students by academic departments during the transition period to university. They argue that text messages from staff appearing amongst those from the student's own social group can aid peer support and integration into university life. Further into the student's academic life, texting as a support measure been explored for healthcare students during practice placements. Here, students offered a facility whereby they could contact the university by text message if problems or difficulties faced whilst on placement. Staff would then respond to the message by the mode of communication which best suited the circumstance, by text, email or by telephone call (Young et al., 2010) (Campbell, 2008).

Impact of text messages

Most teenagers may acquire cell phones without thinking very much about how cell phones ...