Group 4: James S, Trevor T, Changhoon S

Group Name
A+ Duo

Group Members
James S, Trevor T

The Topic
The topic we chose to research is that of text messaging. Text messaging has become the most popular form of communication within the last decade.

Specifics
The types of text messaging we will focus on are those of short message service (SMS) and multimedia message service (MMS).

Argument
Although the use of text messaging has been a great benefit to society, many issues of morality have been traced to the technology. Through text messaging students have found new methods of bullying and cheating.

How Text Messaging Works
Text messaging is mainly composed of short message service (SMS) and multimedia message service (MMS). In SMS, a user types in their message via any communication platform (in this case a celular phone) and sends it to a short message service center (SMSC). The SMSC recieves the message sent by the phone and stores it in it's databanks. The SMSC then forwards the message to a receiving celular device where a user can access the message. MMS works very similarly to a SMS message. The difference is instead of only text, a MMS can include sound, picture and video and they are sent and received through the internet as opposed to SMSC.

Generations
There is currently a transition in text messaging generation occuring, with a mix of second generation and third generation systems. Text messaging originated in second generation systems, capable of sending only SMS. The primary source of second generation is Global System for Mobile communications or GSM. GSM was the first digital mobile telephony system and has spread across the world supplying its services to over two billion celular devices. Since it's initial launch, second generation system has been upgraded to accomodate MMS.

Rapidly replacing the GSM system, are 3G or third generation celular systems. The a phone with a 3G system is operational in any location on the planet. In addition, 3G phones support website browsing and uploads/downloads much more efficiently than second generation phones. This makes for faster send and receive times for SMS and MMS while enabling a user to surf the web at an low cost.

History
GSM was the original basis for text messaging and began development in the early 1980's. At first researchers believed the use for SMS would be to provide information on deposited voicemails or reminders of dates and events. The first text message was sent in the UK in 1992 from a personal computer to an Orbital 901 handset. The message was "Merry Christmas." In it's first year of commercial usage, celular phone users averaged 0.4 text messages a month. In 2006 over 18.5 billion text messages were sent and received every month. With an average of eleven cents per message, communication providers claim a 90% profit margin and boasted over 80 billion dollars collectively in 2006. By 2010, analysts estimate SMS use will increase to over 100 billion dollars annually.

Stats
As can be seen below, Text messaging is used by all age groups and is split fairly evenly between men and women. Usage amoung age groups and gender: Median Age: 38            Age 18-24: 19%  49% M / 51% F             Age 25-34: 24%  Age 35-54: 22%  Age 45-54: 19% 

Cheap Communication
Text messaging is considerably cheaper communication in comparison to talking on the phone. Service providers offer unlimited text messaging at very affordable prices. Here is a list of service providers in Canada and there cost of text messaging.

Telus Unlimited text messaging is 15 dollars

Bell Mobility Unlimited text messaging is 15 dollars

Rogers Communication for 3 dollars 30 sent texts incoming is free for 6 dollars 125 sent texts incoming is free for 10 dollars 2500 sent texts incoming is free for 20 dollars 10000 sent texts incoming is free

Fido Unlimited text messaging 10 dollars

Virgin Mobile Unlimited text messaging 10 dollars

Koodo Mobile Unlimited text messaging 10 dollars

Convenience
Text messaging has become very efficient to use. Text messaging is much more convenient than using voice mail. Also a land line can receive text messages from a phone instead of calling. Not only can you text landlines but you can also text the police an other companies in case of emergencies. Computers can now send text messages to phones as well. Text messaging can be done nationwide. Finally the biggest reason why text messaging became so popular was its silent factor. It can be done very discreetly and unnoticed.



Design
Cell phones are designed to make text messaging very basic. Phones such as the blackberry series have a built in keyboard just for text messaging. Also cell phones have another program in them to further the ease of text messaging with its predictive text system such as the commonly known t9. T9 predicts what you are typing and completes the sentence or phrase.

Text to win
Recent companies have been doing prize give aways through text messaging. For example the company Orange Julius is having a contest called the "Cash 'n' Cali Give Away" where users text in to a number and either win or get a sorry note. If you are to win the grand prize you get cash and a vacation to california. Also several television shows such as American idol base the the show on votes from viewers and one way to vote is by text message.



Face To Face Interaction Is Depreciating
Social interaction is depreciating greatly as people prefer to text over talk on the phone. As technology is advancing society is detaching entirely from face to face interaction. Most people don't bother to turn off their phone during dinner or even a date. Also text messaging is keeping people especially teens up late. Recently companies are banning cell phones from work as the boss does not feel he has his employers full attention.

English Language Is Deteriorating
The English language is deteriorating due to text messaging. Common text message users have created there own form of the English language, which is a shortened version of English using letters, and abbreviations. This new language is becoming a major concern throughout schools. Students are using the new language in assignments, tests, as well as the formal essay. It is getting out of control as teachers are having a hard time trying to control people from using the language.

Spam Through Text
Spam through text messages is being spread widely and very quickly since 2007. Cell phone users are being charged secretly through these unwanted spam messages which they have no control over. The utility consumers action network brought a case against sprint for spamming there users and then charging the ten cents per text message. Similar to the email phishing scam cell phones have a SMiShing scam where texts are sent from companies trying to get there information or have them phone premium rate numbers.

Bullying
Text message is now a primary source of bullying throughout schools. Bullying is very easy to be done through text messaging. Forwarding a message is almost impossible to resist. That is why bullying is such a huge concern within schools.

Medical Issues
There are many medical issues with text messaging. First a well known issue with doctors is the "Black berry thumb" otherwise known as a repetetive strain injury. Also a recent study this March has found that excessive text messaging has been known to cause of mental illness. Next people feel symptoms of withdrawal after being away from text messaging for too long. After that people have the need for more time. In Australia the average amount of time spent text messaging is roughly thirty minutes a day. Also there are serious negative mental and social repercussions. Finally there have been many reports of car accidents from drivers being distracted and text messaging.

Cheating
Cheating is becoming a major issue and flaw with text messaging. Cheating through a text message is the easiest way to cheat on an exam. Students can text friends taking the exam for answers or friends at home. Not only can they text them but they can receive videos, pictures, and even website links. In December 2002 at a university in Japan 26 students were ejected from a final exam as they were caught cheating through text messages.



Conclusion
Although text messaging is great for our society the issues that come with text messaging are not worth it. Text messaging is essentially tearing apart our society. Text messaging is going to evolve further and possibly create more problems as well as make some worse. Society should be much more informed on the cons of text messaging instead of the pros. Although this may not be possible society should try to discontinue the use of text messaging for there own concern.

Works Consulted

 * Wikipedia Editors (2008) Text messaging. From Wikipedia. Retrieved November 30, 2008 from the internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Text_Messaging
 * Wikipedia Editors (2008) Short message service. From Wikipedia. Retrieved December 1, 2008 from the internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_message_service
 * Wikipedia Editors (2008) GSM. From Wikipedia. Retrieved December 1, 2008 from the internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM
 * Wikipedia Editors (2008) Short message service center. From Wikipedia. Retrieved December 1, 2008 from the internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMSC
 * Wikipedia Editors (2008) Predictive Text. From Wikipedia. Retrieved December 2, 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T9_(predictive_text)
 * Wikipedia Editors (2008) Sms Language. From Wikipedia. Retrieved December 4, 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_language