SMS Text Messaging & Youth Debt One

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Sunday January 9, 2005 @02:13AM from the american-kids-really-do-suck-at-math dept.

securitas writes "The New York Times' Lisa W. Foderaro reports on the impact of SMS text messaging and resulting debt on America's youth. The predictable but seldom-considered effect of the recently available technology combined with the social role instant messaging and SMS play are leading to bills that youth and parents alike can't afford. 'Many high school and college students accustomed to sending unlimited instant messages on their computers do not adapt easily to text messaging's pay-per-message format, and end up with unexpectedly high bills' ranging from $300 to $800 per month. One school principal says that 'many students were blindsided by costs associated with text-messaging and other features, like customized ring tones"

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Waste of money by Anonymous Coward · 2005-01-09 02:26 · Score: -1, Flamebait

I never understoood why someone would spend the time and effort to type messages on the T9 numberpad. Wouldn't it be easier to just pick up your cell phone and call them?

Just another example of people eating up whatever marketing is thrown at them. It's no wonder that the US is goign down the tube with these up and coming morons.