"I read on the newspaper that sending text messages causes a radiation that is cancerous."

So far this semester, we have discussed what makes technology addicting, what we are addicted to, and how technology has altered our way of living. What started with a computer has ended with a TouchScreen E-Book. Once a person had to send a telegram, not they send a text message. Technology has quickly changed our preferred means of communication. The interesting part is what people do prefer when given an option. Simply: Phone Call or Text Message.

According to Aaron Smith of the Pew Institute, 31% of Americans prefer text messaging compared to a voice call. This means that, out of 100 people, 31 will more likely respond via text message over a phone call. Our dominant form of communication is beginning to change, and people are choosing the least personal means of communication.

What’s more, the majority of those who prefer text messaging are in the age group 18-24. These users send, on average, “109.5 messages on a normal day – more than 3,200 texts per month” (Gahran, 2011). For example, so far this morning, I have sent and/or received 15 text messages, meaning I do not fit the stereotype of a normal 18-24 text message user. However, when I consult a peer, their text number is in the 50s at 12:00pm. This person could very well-likely send another 59.5 messages in one day.

Is anyone truly surprised by these numbers? Well, of all the different types of social media, is text messaging not one of the safer options? Consider the following by Bryant, Sanders-Jackson, and Smallwood:

“Instant messaging and text messaging are both forms of technology-mediated communication that provide a way for individuals to communicate with one another and to create and reinforce social ties and friendships. Text messaging, however, is different from IM and many other forms of CMC because it is not anonymous. Because text messaging is usually facilitated through mobile phone technology, it is difficult to obtain a telephone number from an individual without at least having met the person or knowing their first name” (2006).

Bryant, Sanders-Jackson, and Smallwood are pointing out that text messaging is so widely accepted because it does have some degree of restraint. I do not post my number everywhere for the whole world (it’s in my email signature, but if I email you, I know you right). Unlike mediums that are online, text messaging is a safe alternative to F2F communication (although less rich). Users are simply choosing a different form of communication; the winner, text messaging.

My title, as it reads, introduces a joke. “I read on the newspaper that sending text messages causes a radiation that is cancerous.” That part is pretty basic. The author is making a joke at the expense of an aged form of communication. Now, the end: “That's why I have decided to stop - to stop reading newspapers.” Ultimately, the author has shown how we, as a thriving technological society, would prefer the dangerous, new-age over the safe, old-age. Although text messaging isn’t always dangerous, there’s got to be a reason for the new ban while driving. Connection—who knows?

Bryant, J. A., Sanders-Jackson, A., & Smallwood, A. M. K. (2006). IMing, text messaging, and adolescent social networks. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 11(2), article 10. http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol11/issue2/bryant.html

Gahran, A. (2011, September 22). One-third of Americans prefer texts to voice calls. CNNTech. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com

Smith, A. (2011, September 19). Americans and text messaging. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org