Disadvantages of Texting

As I am typing out a text for the umpteenth time on my sleek mobile keypad I begin to realise how reliant I have become on this form of technology.

Yes, text messaging is a more discreet way of communicating with someone than a phone, especially if you are sitting in your doctor's waiting room, in the office or on a packed bus or train where everyone is so bored that they have nothing better to do than overhearing how busy you were at work.
However, this form of communication also has its drawbacks.

It is handy enough to text your friend saying 'meet u 2nite at 7pm in front of cinema', but it is more complicated trying to explain how hurt you felt last night when she pointed out that you need to lose weight.

This is because when it comes to 'emotional conversations' there is a lot of room for misinterpretations, largely due to the lack of body language which helps us express ourselves in a clearer manner.
How many times have you seen a colleague frantically texting during that important Monday morning meeting, thus distracting you from listening carefully to what is being discussed during that meeting? With mobile technology being so prevalent in our everyday lives we often forget that there are several people who are not in possession of a mobile phone, such as some elderly people. This would exclude them from the world of text messaging and if, say, you have just texted everyone on your mobile phonebook to let them know that you have just given birth to a lovely baby girl, poor grandma or grandpa might not get the news until much later in the day thus putting them at a disadvantage to other family members, friends and even acquaintances who simultaneously got your text.

Unless you are on a special package or availing of special offers text messaging can be quite an expensive service, especially if, like myself, you send several overseas texts.

This article is not trying to discourage the use of texting as we all know how important sending text messages has become in our everyday lives.
However, we should know the limits of this form of communication in order not to become slaves to it or make others around us feel uncomfortable in any way.

I am not into Facebook or Twitter, but I believe similar arguments apply in that technology as opposed to face-to-face human interaction is being used to communicate important messages.