Advantages and Benefits of Text Messaging Revisited

Several years ago, I wrote an article about the benefits of text messaging in modern society.  That said, things have obviously changed somewhat in the interim.  Below, we will delve deeper into the benefits of text messaging.

Prioritize Your Communications

When I receive a text message from several people in a brief amount of time, I can prioritize my communications with others without having to think too long on my course of action.  If I receive a text message from an acquaintance that merely says, “What’s up,” and one from a close friend asking if I have time to talk, I know what needs to be done:  Call the friend and save the pleasantries with the acquaintance for another time.

Reduce Unnecessary Talk Time

In the not-so-distant past, my cell phone constantly rang.  At one point, I hated listening to voice mails so much that I simply allowed my voice mail box to fill up so that I wouldn’t receive any more messages.   Now, however, most people don’t call me without texting first, and extend the same courtesy to most people as well.  Receiving a phone call can be intrusive and bothersome.  There are maybe five people in my life that I will call or who will call me without a pre-emptive text.

You Are in Control

Ultimately, the ball is in your court regarding communications when you rely heavily on text messages.  As a primary communication tool, texting or not texting sends as much of a message as the content itself.  If you don’t want to be in touch with someone, you don’t even have to read their messages-and you certainly don’t have to respond. 

Keep it Simple

Simplicity is something we have lost touch with in most areas of our lives.  We are constantly connected, and the average cell phone carried by people is more powerful than the desktop computers of fifteen years ago.  Text messages are restricted to a specific number of characters (usually 160), which means that we rely heavily on abbreviations and word economy to get our point across succinctly.  This simplicity of communication can sometimes be misunderstood, but texting is supposed to be very basic.  Don’t try and discuss the meaning of life via SMS.  Your thumbs will be very sore.