Published: February 26, 2009 06:22 pm      

Heart to Heart or thumb to thumb?

Don’t look now — but the text message flashing on the cell phone screen is a social experiment in the making. Cell phone users — no matter their age — are in the middle of a digital crossover. Bored with phone calls, Americans are letting their thumbs to the talking. According to the Neilson Company, Americans send more than 75 billion text messages a month. Teens and tweens make up a majority of the number. One teenager sent 6,473 text in a month.

Out of curiosity, I called my cell phone provider for a quick history of text message usage. With unlimited texting services, I don’t think twice about firing off a message to my brother, friends and co-workers. I figured my number would hover in the 500 range — no where near the 6, 473 text messages from a 15-year olds phone. However, I was shocked to find I sent and received 1,171 text messages in January, down from 1,302 messages in December.

A lover and writer of words, even I am not immune to the social experiment of texting. And I don’t even have a good defense. I am guilty of spreading the phenomenon as well. My parents are not digitally wired, but they do have cell phones capable of texting and connecting to the internet. Showing my dad his new phone, I innocently introduced him to text messages. One day I sent him a message, knowing he would likely ignore the message or call to talk. Instead, he sent his own text. And while he doesn’t text more than three or four lines at a time, he is quick with nightly text messages and reminders. But what is the effect of all this texting? Researchers are not sure, citing uncommon ground. It is a wait and see game.

Will we become a society with short attention spans? Unable to focus on a voice or a face-to-face conversation? My answer? Yes and no. Already colleges and universities are exploring the new wave of English grammar. Twenty years ago, writing used to strike fear in the hearts of students. Now, writing is second nature, thanks to instant messages, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and text messages. Tweens and Teens are communicating, which is writing even if it isn’t about American history or “Romeo or Juliet.” At one university, professors are cutting back on the number of words in a sentence. Trying to hold attention spans, instructors are using a new rule of thumb: Eight words or fewer. Blame the shorter sentence on the texting thumb. That is the bad side, not to mention the driver who likes to text at 60 miles an hour. The good side is texting allows parents to stay in contact with teens, make last- minute plans, while communicating in a meeting or crowded room. Of course, most parents don’t send thousands of text messages about dinner arrangements or after- school pick-up schedules.

I find 6,473 text messages in one month overwhelming. And while I am guilty of breaking the 1,000 mark, I can’t imagine sending six times the amount. Talk about thumb cramps, I wouldn’t have time to work, play or sleep without sending a message every few minutes. But like it or not, texting is a part of American culture. It’s quick, easy and makes communication a breeze for parents, teens and workers. Yet, there must be a line drawn between the thumb and the heart. Texting is not a form of absolute communication. Instead, it is a bonus, not to be confused with heart-to-hearts over a cafe table. People love people. We love the connections that create relationships with family, friends and significant others. And as much as I like to text, I never want to replace good conversations, warm voices and smiling faces with the glow of my cell phone.

Jamie Parsell is Lifestyle editor of the Daily Telegraph. Contact her at jparsell@bdtonline.com.