What Is Texting?

Reach out and text someone

Texting or "text messaging" is a popular mode of communication on cell phones or wireless devices. You can write a message by using the keys on your device.

What is a text message?

A text message consists of 160 characters or less. It is most often sent through cell phones and wireless devices, but computers can also send text messages.

How do you send a text message?

Depending on your electronic device, you will use the keypad to type out messages. Many wireless devices feature keyboards with letters, while basic cell phones use a numeric keypad with a guide for translating numbers into letters.

Text message costs

Wireless carriers usually offer text message plans to customers. You can either purchase unlimited texting or a certain number of texts, or pay a few cents for each message you send.

Text message acronyms and shorthand

Since a text can be no longer than 160 characters, most people use shorthand to save space. For instance, "2nite" means "tonight" and "411" stands for "information." You can find a texting dictionary online (see Resources).

Text message problems

Texting while driving is a growing concern, as studies have shown that it can significantly distract a driver and increase the likelihood of an accident.

References

• Guide to Text Messaging
• Text Messaging Limits
• How to Text Message

Resources

• Text message shorthand
• Text message marketing
• Text messaging cost