Is Text Language Affecting Your Teen’s Ability to Read and Write?

Is your teenager struggling with their spellings? If so, it might be time to wean them off text language…

The Irish Daily Star reports that a new study has revealed that texting is damaging teenagers’ spelling and grammar. Yes, we’re afraid it’s no LOLing matter. Repeated use of text-language can have lasting effects on your teen’s grasp of the English language.

According to the study, the use of initials and misspelt words (example: ‘laterz’ and ‘numba’) affects teenagers’ ability to switch between ‘text-speak’ and the normal rules of reading, writing and speech.

Researchers found that teens and pre-teens who frequently used text language in messages to family and friends performed more poorly on a grammar test than children and teens who take the time to spell out each word properly and without abbreviating it.

“They may use a homophone, such as gr8 for great, or initials, like LOL for laugh out loud,” said Drew Cingel of Northwestern University in the United States.

 “Overall, there is evidence of a decline in grammar scores based on the number of adaptations in the sent text messages,” he added.

Mr Cingel also stated that many teenagers have an “inability” to switch back to the proper use of grammar and spelling after they have just sent a text message.

So what can you do? Well unfortunately there’s not much you can do to stop your teen from using text language – it’s become a part of human life.

But you can encourage them to read more and to spend time engaging with words (whether it’s playing Scrabble or reading a magazine).

What are your views on text language? Do you use it yourself or do you think every word should be spelt out properly?