In today’s society with the advancement of technology, communication is no longer face to face, it’s becoming digital. No more phone calls at home or passing notes in class. Text messaging is becoming out of control. Teenagers, adults and even children are excessively texting. This may cause potential health risks. Physicians and psychologists, are beginning to worry because they believe it is leading to anxiety, distraction in school, falling grades, repetitive stress injury and sleep deprivation. Phone carriers such as AT&T and Verizon offer unlimited texting plans, which makes teenagers more susceptible to text 24/7. Teenagers are too attached to their cell phones that they are texting during class. They are being rude to the teacher and missing the lesson. In 2009, the NY Times published an article, Texting Until Their Thumbs Hurt , referring to teenagers. It stated “American teenagers sent and received an average of 2,272 text messages per month in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to the Nielsen Company — almost 80 messages a day, more than double the average of a year earlier”. Four years later, I can only imagine how many texts are being sent now. I am sure the number has quadrupled by now.
Vocabulary
digital- to manipulate with your fingers
text messaging- communication by sending messages through mobile phones
excessively- going beyond the usual or proper limit
anxiety-distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear
unlimited- not limited or unrestricted
susceptible- capable of being affected by
quadrupled- four times as great
Vocabulary exercise
Circle the word that does not belong:
1. four doubled fourfold quadrupled
2. digit finger digital face
3. immoderate extravagant reasonable excessively
4. fear worry anxiety tranquility
5. resistant influenced gullible susceptible
6. endless restricted unlimited boundless
7. mobile text messaging email talking
Grammar Point
Contractions are created to shorten or combine words.
To make a contraction, remove a letter or letters from a word and replace the letter(s) with an apostrophe (').
For example: "He is feeling ill" to "He's feeling ill."
Some other common contractions include: aren't for are not, can't for cannot, he'll for he will, and won't for will not.
Can you think of any other contractions?
Grammar Exercise
Put the following words in parenthesis into contractions:
1. (You are)__________ a great friend.
2. (I have)_______finished my homework.
3. (I will)__________meet you at 6:00pm.
4. (It is)________great that you love to go to school.
5. (Do not)_________text during class!
To read more about texting being related to health go to this website: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/health/26teen.html?8dpc
Very interesting! As a substitute teacher I try to always remind my students tho put their cell phones away. Hopefully in the end, it won't be a lost battle.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a trending issue that many young people can relate to. Text messaging has increased in the last few years and many wonder the side effects it may have on young people. I, myself am constant texted so I found this article very interesting. I liked your grammar exercise because many people often don't text in proper English and often forget certain rules. I really enjoyed reading this post.
ReplyDeleteThey text in their pockets, they text the person sitting next to them, and they text their parents. It's addicting! During class and in between classes and even when the teacher is around... it's just amazing!
ReplyDelete