Do u like 2 txt?

whats 4 dinner?
can i go to jens after wrk?
ru coming 2 get me?
the movie was gr8!

We have six kids and a family cell phone plan that includes unlimited text messaging. We take full advantage of this feature. There were 611 messages sent from my own phone last month, and 1047 received. I don't know how that compares to the average person, but it's more than I would have guessed before I checked the bill.

Having always owned a device specifically designed for text messaging, I never understood the reason for all of the abbreviations. To me, it was more difficult to remember to use the abbreviated form than to simply type the word. I took my children's use of text messaging abbreviations personally. Our homeschool writing curriculum emphasizes grammar, punctuation, and spelling. I was concerned that my children's text messages didn't conform to the writing standards they were being taught.

Then, I sent a text message from my daughter's phone.

It was AGONIZING.

I quickly realized there was a practical reason for my kids' liberal use of text messaging shortcuts. Lacking a qwerty keyboard, time constraints required them to eliminate as many characters as possible from their messages.

I've decided to accept the necessity of taking shortcuts when messaging, but I'm still distressed when the abbreviations appear in their daily writing. This happens less often now, so I was beginning to relax. Obviously, they understood the difference between formal essay writing and text messaging. Then, my middle daughter began including emoticons in her written reports! :-/

My eldest daughter's writing skills really took off when she started using the computer. That was before text messaging was available, and I remember thinking the new technology was great for encouraging writing. I do think students are capable of understanding the difference between what is acceptable in formal writing versus what is commonly used in personal messages and online. As a homeschooling parent, it takes diligent attention to keep bad habits from forming, but I appreciate having this additional method of communicating with my children, so I save my criticism for their school assignments.

The longterm affects of text messaging, tweeting, instant messages, and other fast, casual forms of communication remain to be seen. Is it having an effect on your students' writing?