The Negative Side of Texting

Texting has become the most popular form of communication out there, but it's also fast becoming the most destructive form of communication. People in increasing numbers daily are no longer communicating the old-fashioned way by phone as much as they used to because texting is easier. Did you know there are 4.2 billion texters worldwide? That's a whole lot of texting.

Texting is point blank impersonal, cold and to the point. A lot of times, things can be misinterpreted by just texting a few words. People who aren't sure what they want can definitely use texting to their advantage at work or at play. People are becoming addicted to texting, and if not used properly, it will end your life or your loved one's life behind the wheel.

Why do people feel the need to text while driving? Is it really that important? Can something as simple as texting wait until you get to your destination? Is it too much trouble to pull to the side of the road to check your text? The statistics are grim.

• About 7,000 people die each year from texting.
• A driver's reaction time will decrease by 35% if they are texting while driving.
• Steering capability goes down by 91%.
• The driver is 23% more likely to get into an accident while texting and driving.

This video is one of the most effective ones on the web I've found regarding the dangers of texting while driving.

Did you know that according to Nielsen, the average teenager sends 3,339 texts per month? How many of those texts do you think are behind the wheel while driving? How many are sent while in class? Where do students find the time to send 3,339 texts a day? Aren't they supposed to be in school learning or involved in after school activities? Where are the parents while all this texting is going on? Meanwhile, the average young adult (18-24) sends 200 a day and those older send about 10 or 20 a day. Is texting a phase or is it here to stay?

Many people dating these days text instead of simply pick up the phone. It drives many people crazy, especially if you hate texting. A guy can send off the same text message to five girls that he knows are interested in him and all these girls are oblivious to the fact he's sending the same message out to all these other girls.

Texting can also send the wrong message. You may innocently think the person likes you, but if that's the only way he's communicating with you. He never calls you. You never meet up with him and weeks go by, he is more likely addicted to the ego boost he gets from merely texting you and that's it. It's literally a texting addiction for them and you barely know the person on the other end of the text message. It's driving a lot of people, who don't normally text across this country crazy. A lot of people now are refusing to use it when they first meet someone. If someone isn't going to take five minutes out of their day to call them, that's all they need know and this goes for friendships too, not just dating.

Texting is literally becoming a thorn in the side of many Americans. It's overused and overrated, whether it be in relationships or behind the wheel. We can only hope this is a phase and people will eventually wake up to the negative aspects of texting. Losing your life over a text should be reason enough not to drive and text, but people keep on doing it just like they get into a vehicle after having too many beers. Bottom line, before any tragedy, people always assume they can handle it. The truth is they can't and the statistics prove it.