What You Need to Know About Texting

Facts about Texting

There are times and conditions that are fine for texting without any risks or issues. In fact, in many circumstances it can make life and communicating a lot easier. There are also times when texting poses significant risks that can range from mildly irritating or devastating to fatal. We list some of the conditions about texting to be alert to, and in some areas, avoid entirely.

What You Need to Know About Texting

(Texting Etiquette)

1. Never Text While Driving

This is the most obvious on our list in terms of our health and safety, and the health and safety of anyone we share the road with, and potentially the most dangerous or even tragic if we ignore it.

Here are some statistics about texting: Statistically we increase our chances of an accident by 23 percent every time we do this – driving at 55 mph, we travel the length of a football field in 5 seconds. If we had our eyes off the road for that amount of time and space, a tragic outcome is all too possible.

2. Never argue by text.

The recipient of the text message may not be able to read the subtler cues that can be experienced more fully in a phone call, where voice tone may help soften the message, or in person where facial expressions can accompany the communication.

If one wishes to communicate in writing, letter writing the old fashioned way will be likely to be more successful at building understanding. Texting eliminates the ability to allow words and thoughts to flow and can come across in a harsher tone than intended.

3. Sexting may be deemed as harassment.

If you are sharing sexually explicit content through your phone or device, there is risk of bringing harm to the relationship, and possibly even to your own or another individual’s reputation. Anything shared on a phone with a friend you believe you know well, has the potential to be uploaded and shared in social media, and as we know, such things can have tragic out comes.

Texting sexually explicit images or words has also landed many people in court (especially in situations where teenagers are involved). It is best to avoid sexting altogether.

4. Never text while drunk.

The reasons for this have to do with the ability of the person for sound judgment in expressing his/ her thoughts. When the social ‘filters’ are not in place, we may express some emotional issues too strongly and bring irreparable harm to a relationship. Also, sharing information with someone that is intended to be confidential can happen unintentionally with these ‘filters’ not functioning.

The last issue in drunken texting is how easily typing errors would occur while in this stuporous state.

5. Autocorrect could be “autotextwreck.”

The well-meaning corrections from this little ‘helper’ can completely misrepresent what you’re trying to convey, so unless you have assurance, that all spelling is exactly right, you can save yourself much misunderstanding to wait and communicate in person, especially if the matter involves long thoughts more difficult to convey in text format.

If you choose to use autocorrect, please be sure and proofread thoroughly prior to sending.

6. Dating relationships should be handled sensitively through text, especially at first.

Sharing involved communication in a new romance requires a skill in reading the person’s response to verbal communication, humor, etc. Before you know the individual’s way of responding, it wouldn’t be worth the risk of setting a humorous tone that you would later learn is only funny to you.

Feelings and relationships can be hurt by this.

7. Texting abbreviations may not be known by everyone.

If you’re young and texting with peers, it’s a fairly safe bet that your message will be understood for the most part, but if you text with a grandparent, they may be lost on some of the meanings, or may believe they get what you’re saying and actually miss it entirely. For example, it would be more courteous to replace ‘lmk’ with ‘let me know.’

In summary, texting is a great time-saving ways to connect for abbreviated communication when necessary, but in the more substantial communications that hold relationships together, live conversations or well written letters are far better and free of the safety risks as well.