ABCs of SMS: Study Shows Texting Improves Spelling

It might seem counterintuitive, but heavy cell phone texting doesn’t negatively affect a child’s ability to read or spell; in fact, it might actually benefit literacy, according to a recent British Academy study.

According to the research, carried out on a sample of 8- to 12-year-olds, children and teens texting with common abbreviations (LOL, ROFL)—show levels of “textism” that could be used to predict reading ability and phonological awareness. The proportion of text abbreviations used increased with age, indicating that more sophisticated literacy skills are needed for textism, which draws on word play and requires an awareness of how sounds relate to written English.

Good news for our texting youth and those who are concerned texting is contributing to weakening of literacy and spelling.