What is the relationship between text messaging and literacy - Research Paper Example

t the exposure to text messaging and their counterparts who do not have access to SMS might be contributing, positively, to the literacy skills development among 9 to 10-year-old-children (Wood 35). Furthermore, past studies analyzed by Verheijen report a positive correlation between the use of SMS and literacy levels among users (Verheijen 588). Belying the findings of these studies, however, is the viewpoint among older generation researchers and academicians that text messaging has negative correlations to improving learning skills among users.

They argue that text messaging has contributed detrimental implications on learners as opposed to its emphasized importance by recent researchers. They present counterarguments justifying their disapproval of the importance of text messaging on learning. They cite the negative implications of technology on learners as justification to their opposing viewpoints to the debate while attributing the effect of text messaging. Text messaging affects literacy positively by encouraging open discussions and communication.

Although older generation researchers and academicians argue that technological developments in communication have detrimental implications on the youth and future generations, it is justifiable that text messaging has a positive influence on literacy levels by encouraging communication and open discussion. Worldwide text messaging is a popular activity and the number of text messages sent continues to enlarge. In Wood’s analysis of the situation, he says, “texting supports spelling development amongst children because they get to understand abbreviations and the words they represent”.

The use of the texting abbreviations leads to phonological awareness and processing and this result to spelling. On the other hand, not all the children who are good in spelling are capable of using creative ‘textisms’. Thus, rehearsal of such creative text slangs and the words they represent is a beneficial skill. If