The Text Message

By: Ally Grayson

Figure 1

I. Introduction

The SMS text was created in the mid 90’s, by an engineer named Matti Makkonen. SMS stands for “Short Message Service”. Because of this, we are now able to send texts, pictures, videos, and more between our mobile phones and other gadgets. It is said that the SMS message is now one of the most widely used methods of communication in the world. Did you know that over 92,000 text messages are sent every second in the United States.

II. Invention

The idea of the SMS message began in 1984 when Matti Makkonen and a fellow colleague gathered for lunch in Copenhagen. Matti wanted to create a way of messaging when a phone was turned off or out of it’s range, hence the beginning of the SMS. Unfortunately, Matti left no design documents of his creation. The very first text message was sent on December 1992, from a laptop computer to a cellular phone on the GSM Network in the United Kingdom.

When a text message is sent, the cell phone connects to the intended recipient through a mobile phone network such as AT&T, or Verizon. “Because the message travels through the cellular operator's system, the intended receiving device does not have to be powered on or available within the operator's coverage area at the time the message is sent; the recipient device can receive the message later, since the SMS is stored at the operation center (SMS Center) until the receiver or the phone are available.” (Mobile Pronto)

Becausethere was very little storage capacities at the time of the invention, a text message could only hold 160 characters for each message to avoid overloading the systems. Nowadays, there is no limit for an SMS message. Actually, we are now able to send the same message to various contacts by a process called SMS Broadcast.

Not only did text messaging create a new communication method, but it created an entire mini-language. When the text message’s popularity boomed, teenagers created a unique language of short words because at the time you could use 160 characters or less. Words like “GTG”, standing for “Got to go” were created. The most used short-word is “LOL”, standing for “Laugh out loud”. Because people have become so used to typing messaged like these, words such as GTG and LOL are used verbally.

III. Biography of Investigator

Mattie Makkonen was born in 1952, in Suimussalmi, Finland. He graduated from the Oulu technical college in 1976. From 1976 to 1983,he worked at the Telecoms and Postal agency as a systems engineer. His job consisted of developing wireless communication s services for the NMT mobile networks. In 1989, he became the president of the mobile communication unit.

IV. Impact on the World

SMS messaging allows us to communicate over the phone in and cheaper and more efficient way. Also, text messages are discreet and can be used when a phone call might not be appropriate such as, a library or a waiting room. Text messaging creates a wall of privacy when communicating in public.

Another advantage of text messaging is when typing a message, you are forced to think through what you are about to say. For example, when you get caught up in a heated argument in person, the communication is instant. Hurtful words can escape your mouth without a though, and there is no way to take them back. When you are texting, you are able to think about the consequences of each message you are about to send.

The main disadvantage of text messaging is “texting while driving”. In the past year over one hundred-thousand Americans died because of texting while driving. Did you know that when texting, a person’s steering capability goes down ninety-one percent? Or how about that drivers are six times more likely to get into a car crash while dialing a number into their phone?

Figure 2

Another issue text messaging has brought about is “sexting”. Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically. There are many consequences to sexting, some which have led many teens to suicide. In the journal article below, eighteen year old Jesse Logan, committed suicide after taking part in a “sext conversation”.

V. Journal Article Review

It all started when Jesse Logan sent a nude picture of herself to her boyfriend. When they broke up, he sent it to everybody he knew at school. For the next two years Jesse was a victim of harassment. At times she was afraid to go to school, and she even fell into depression. In May 2008, Jesse decided to tell her story to a Cincinnati television station. She said “I just want to make sure no one else will have to go through this again.” Two months after this interview, Jesse Logan was found dead in her bedroom. She hanged herself.

Citations:

Unknown. (2011, May 5) History of SMS Text Messaging. Retrieved from: http://www.mobilepronto.org/en-us/the-history-of-sms.html

Matti Kalliokoski. (2008, July 4) The Reluctant Father of SMS- Matti Makkonen. Retrieved from: http://www.finland.or.kr/public/default.aspx?contentid=137076&nodeid=35145&contentlan=2&culture=en-US

Joseph Devine (2011, May 1) Texting and Driving Statistics. Retrieved from: http://textinganddrivingstatistics.com/

Journal Article:

Mike Celizic. (2009, March 6) Her Teen Committed Suicide over ‘sexting’. Retrieved from:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29546030/ns/today-parenting/