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SMS PACKAGES AND YOUTH

By Shehnila Hakim Ali

Few days ago, on my way back to  home I got stuck up in the traffic jam and the road was completely packed. I inquired the reason of it by the traffic cop and he said that a horrid accident had taken place that caused severe injuries to a small girl. My interrogative expression triggered the cop and he narrated that a young stupid man was extremely engulfed with mobile texting that he didn’t bother to see the red signal and smashed a small girl crossing the road with a believe that no one will break the signal. This opens our mind to the devastating impacts of mobile phones, specifically the SMS packages on the young generation. This article will discuss that how SMS packages have affected the young generation with respect to their personal relationships, social skills and its impact on physiological well being.


The SMS package that is being offered by the service companies has created a text culture among youth which helps to communicate instantly at cheap rates. Nevertheless, it is not an effective way of communication as it lacks the gestures and expressions that are crucial to convey the message which consequently deteriorates the personal relationships. Although text messages is a good way to develop personal relationships for the socially isolated people but on the other hand, text messages lacks the feelings and emotions due to which many conflicts take place because the receiver might interpret the messages differently from the sender’s perception. In addition, short messages encourage the youth to use abbreviations or code words that also increases the chances of miscommunication. Continuous texting develops the habit of using short forms that creates problems in professional and academic life. Another contribution to this culture are parents because they are considered as role models for the children and their profound involvement in mobile phones has generated a routine of text messages in new generation. In addition, it weakens their relationship because children cant feel the warmth and affection of parents through this mode nor parents will be able to create a strong bond in which children express their feelings without any resistance. Mostly people prefer texting to share the joy or grief but it doesn’t help to enhance the personal relationships because it lacks the feel of presence that one desires at the time of happiness and sorrow. A Scott psychologist (2004) said that "People don't want to convey bad news face to face and so resort to other modern methods such as texting, e-mailing and even faxing. However, people want to be told personally so that they have a chance to respond and talk about deep emotions."

Talk is the special ability that is required for socializing but due to the packages, youth have become so reluctant to talk directly. Although in some way, texting helps to be in touch with friends and family but now days, new generation tries to have a network with whom they can communicate on text regardless of the fact that the same tone and attitude on text will lead to frustration and isolation.Texters are restricted to particular group who prefer texting due to which they fail to have the interaction with people from different interest, background and culture. As lord Bryon said, “I only go out to get me a fresh appetite for being alone” so I think that socializing is a way to dig comfort, support and innovation which is missing electronic socializing.

Most of the companies have promoted the night packages that have created the health problems for the young generation. People prefer to text through out the night to avail the cheapest rate which disturbs their sleep and ultimately cause depression in working or studying hours. Level of concentration is severely affected as the continuous sending and receiving the messages has become a normal routine. A recent study of the US Associated Professional Sleep Societies(2008) states that mental health and sleep levels are harmed to a greater extent by texting as compared to phone calls. Also experts intimate that relying excessively on mobile phones make children impulsive and depressive. Furthermore, cell phone addicts feel nervous without a phone and are at ease only after they text or call some one.

From the above, it can be seen that SMS packages is creating the devastating problems for the young generation. Cheap rates attract them in a way that they failed to realize its negative aspects on their lives and surroundings. I think that Government should control the corporate sector by applying the rules and regulation on their services as in western countries SMS are quiet expensive that helps to prevent the children from its drawbacks.