By 
Recently, I heard about the introduction of cell phones in Africa and how young people use them prolifically for texting, especially in universities to connect socially and academically. Not only are young people doing this, adults are using them more and more as well.
Many would agree that the advantages of texting far outweigh the disadvantages. Imagine what this is doing for the people of Africa. African farmers have been reported to have increased their livelihoods by receiving text messages about incoming disease strains, volatile prices, and weather patterns. They also connect to urban centers to check how commodity corridors are influencing prices. Farmers can then change their behavior and their access to global markets. Africa is going through a cell phone boom.
Texting has saved lives. People use texting to help worthy causes, like texting “Haiti” to 90999 to make financial donations. The Red Cross used text messages during the advocacy in Haiti to show how cell phone use can positively change the world. Texting is our wonderful way to communicate love, joy, peace of mind, fun, ask for help, and give help. It has sped up our communication and seems to be an important method of communication for young people.
Texting has downsides. Sending text messages makes it easy for those who want to urge others to conflict. An example is Nigeria, where incendiary text messages have been part of the increase in deaths in conflicts between Muslims and Christians. Another example, particularly in the Western world, is the use of text messages to intimidate others. Words can be very destructive and some teens commit suicide due to the effects of this constant bullying.
Another dangerous aspect of texting is doing it while driving. There are documented examples of driving tragedies, particularly among teens who text while driving.
Then there is, of course, the sloppy texting by hapless celebrities and clueless criminals wreaking havoc, often altering their lives forever.
Because texting requires total concentration, you need to stop what you’re doing and write and send your text. Accidents happen while people are crossing the street or walking down a busy street. Here you need security and good manners.
Texting is here to stay – communicate locally, nationally and internationally in an instant – just learn how to text so you don’t hurt yourself or others.