Does Texting Affect Student Literacy

How does texting affect student literacy? In our generation, students use technology in everyday life to do various things, such as texting, social media, and even to get research for school. Although technology can be helpful, it can also hurt students. Technology increases procrastination, and can decrease spelling and grammar skills by the shortening of words. Often students use abbreviations when texting, which carry over into their academics. This also can affect their knowledge of knowing the difference of “there, they’re and their”, “too, to, and two” and etc. Often, when students use words that sound like letters, or one syllable, (ex. you, why, etc.) they tend to use the letter, instead of writing out the actual word. As a result

Abbreviations are sometimes skipped over, as they’re used in common texting and social media, so when they’re used in student’s work, they read them as they’re meant to be there. Although students aren’t always at fault. Students will continue to use improper grammar and incorrect abbreviations if they’re not taught to write with a “sense of audience”. As said by Amanda O’Connor, “Regardless of the situation, teachers can work to ensure that students develop a sense of audience when

While there is supporting evidence to suggest that these technologies have a large influence on the social development of adolescents, an even more pertinent issue for classroom teachers is what effects these technologies have on the academic development of young people.”(O’Connor). It would seems teachers are concerned on what influences texting has on adolescents, and fear that students will be affected negatively in their studies. However, it has been said that teachers, and even parents aren’t concerned with the negative effects of texting, even claiming that it helps students scores instead of hurting them. For example, Sargeson says: “In my opinion, to say text messaging is affecting literacy is quite extreme, as in my academic career I have never witnessed anyone using textisms (including myself) in academic work. There are many examples of text messaging affecting literacy, but there are also many linguists (for instance) who believe text messaging is actually a good thing. I for one do not believe text messaging is something to worry about, especially in terms of literacy.” (Sargeson)