2 years is half a generation of teens-- a narrow demographic with youngsters who aren't entrenched in their ways.

That's a lot of text messages. My texting has gone down since I've gotten older but it has always amazed me at how much superfluous information gets passed on through texting. Stuff like "I really like purple socks" can turn into a whole pointless conversation that might not happen if you were actually talking to someone in person or on the phone. I think people like being able to just send small thoughts along with out having to go any further with it. Plus its pretty damn good way to kill time..

I think it has to do with what companies are offering more than a change in teen culture. Wireless companies are offering more plans with unlimited texting, and teens who get these plans and realize it's no longer costing them money and start texting more.

My communications professor actually asked us about this last semester, because a lot of people wrote about their cell phone use for one of the assignments he gave us. I know for me, text messaging is easier because I've grown up on instant messenger; it's like a mobile version. Perhaps because I'm insecure, I hate talking on the phone - but if it's text messaging, I don't have to keep asking people to repeat themselves and I have a written record of the conversation. (I could just write it down during/after being on the phone, but there's a certain comfort in having a "but you said..." sort of thing.)

Maybe that's just me, though.

I have to wonder how much double-counting is going into that texting number, since one could text to several different people. The value given is "billed SMS sent/received"...

I think a lot has to do with the technology, such as QWERTY keyboard phones and touch phones, making it easier and faster to text that has caused the increase in text two years. Then you have companies like MetroPCS popping up that make it easy for a parent to equip a teen with a phone without the hassle of having to lock into a contract. And as commenter, Brian, said all of the mobile companies have texting bundles to add on to even contract-bound phone lines.

Texting is more efficient for teens. They don't have to be tethered to the computer to, in a sense, instant-message each other. They can get an even more instant response on their phones as they are always tethered to that. As an adult, these days, I want to be left alone. But teens usually want contact with each other.

In terms of counting teens, with them going from the teen to the adult category and children moving into the teen category, I doubt it'll taper off, but I think the incline will not be as steep in time. The technology is abundant now. From here on out we'll never have to go back to pressing a button 3 times to make one letter. Text messaging is here to stay...until something even more efficient comes along.

What about sms updates from social networking sites? You can get a text anytime anything happens on your facebook, twitter or myspace. This option may be falling out of favor as full-on mobile internet use increases. Also, what about the horoscope or daily joke services that often advertise on MTV or Nickolodeon? Many talk shows and reality show ask for sms votes, opinions or shoutouts. These are all billed as regular sms messages. Hmmm.

If you want to read more about texting and other technologies that have changed the way we interact, I HIGHLY recommend "The Saturated Self" by Stephen Gergen. It gets a little deep into the sociological aspects at times, but it is the best overview of technology & postmodern culture that I have found (I'm a sociology major, so I've read plenty of others!)

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Stephen Gergen's "The Saturated Self" is an excellent resource for learning more about how texting and other technology have altered our social lives. I'm a sociology student, so I've read my fair redactle share of books on technology and postmodern society, and this one provides the finest summary I've found.

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