Children Who Text Message Regularly Have Better English Than Those Who Don't

A child uses a mobile phone to send a text message. The findings fly in the face of long-held views of parents and teachers who believe text messaging damages children's ability to write properly.

Children who are fluent at text messaging have better literacy skills than youngsters who do not use mobile phones, it was claimed today.

Scientists discovered that rather than destroying their use of English, texting improves children's ability to recognise rhymes and speech patterns.

The findings fly in the face of long-held views of parents and teachers who believe text messaging damages children's ability to write properly.

The ten-year study, funded by the British Academy, examined the effect of the use of text messages on eight to 12-year-olds.

Researchers found children as young as five who used mobile phones are better at understanding rhymes and syllables in speech.

Psychologist Dr. Clare Wood, who led the study at Coventry University, said the use of abbreviations, commonly used in text messaging, helped in the development of children's reading and writing skills.

She said: 'We began studying in this area initially to see if there was any evidence of association between text abbreviation use and literacy skills at all, after such a negative portrayal of the activity in the media.

'We were surprised to learn that not only was the association strong, but that text use was actually driving the development of phonological awareness and reading skills in children.'

The study also showed that children were subconsciously practising their spelling by regularly sending text messages.

Dr Wood said: 'Texting also appears to be a valuable form of contact with written English for many children, which enables them to practice reading and spelling on a daily basis.

'With further research we hope to instill a change in attitude in teachers and parents - recognising the potential to use text-based exercises to engage children in phonological awareness activities.

'If we are seeing a decline in literacy standards among young children, it is in spite of text messaging, not because of it.'

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