6,100 texts a month, but at what cost?

It's a new era. Kids keep connected with constant cell phones through-out the planet and yet I know a few 20 somethings that don't even know how to find it on their cell phones.

Most kids live by it, and a few, a very small few could care less.

But at what cost is a great question and concern.

With all of the cell phone plans out there the bill isn't really a concern since you can get unlimited plans for text usually around the $30.00 mark....not too long ago that was not the case.

I remember when I did customer service for Nextel phones and Sprint phones after the merger, this was between 2002 and 2006 and folks, the stories I could tell you about parent's calling in for bills in the hundreds and yes 3 times that I can remember in the thousands. What always amazed me was how parents were mad at the company. Hey, don't shoot the provider.

Check the plan options!

More importantly have a sit down with your child or children whatever the case may be and talk about the usage. We have to ask ourselves:

What will this generation learn and what will they lose in the relentless stream of sentence fragments, abbreviations and emoticons?

Explain that life's issues are not always settled in sound bites.

Consider this; nationally, more than 75 billion text messages are sent a month, and the most avid texters are 13 to 17, say researchers.

Teens with cellphones average 2,272 text messages a month, compared with 203 calls, according to the Nielsen Co.

It is no longer a fad but a way of life, everyday existence and it does have it's good points.

For example: For families, the text world can bring convenience as never before in arranging rides, doing errands, letting parents know of changing plans.

There are however as with everything in life .. downsides.

For example: Texting whilst driving, sending inappropriate messages that somehow manage to spread like wildfire everywhere they were never intended to go and be seen.

The fact remains regardless that texting is here hard core and it isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

It's instant information when you need to get some email or news, etc.

Now if you'll excuse me I just got a text ...err...

Until next time :)

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