March
2005
TECHNOLOGY
Instant messaging and its effects of
society
M's Guide to IM slang
Instant messaging and its effects
of society
by Z. G.
Instand messenging has far over 70-million users and
that number is growing at an astonishing rate. It's
a teen's dream, and a parent's worst nightmare. IM
seems to be the new way to satisfy the communication
needs of adolescents. In fact, 74% of people with Internet
access use IM, and 35% use it everyday. 19% of teens
and pre-teens use IM as their primary communication
method, as opposed to 8% that email.
Instant Messaging also can encourage gossip and bullying
online. Although most IM clients support blocking and
warning of people, it is clear that it is not being
used. Additionally, it is generally hard for parents
to monitor the online activity of their children. Often,
people transfer viruses that can spread personal information
via AIM, especially via chat rooms.
Online safety is also a problem for students. There
is no way to know that the person you are talking to
is actually a friend. Often passwords of people are
shared with friends, and are easily recognizable.
AIM has few limits on password security. As a result
many people have easily accessible passwords, ususally
containing no numbers or symbols. As a result it is
easy for hackers to gain access to people's AIM accounts.
Also files transferred in chat rooms can be viruses,
and cause damage to people's files, or be used to gather
personal information.
The most common problem iwth IM is the effect on spelling.
Often, abbreviations and word changes are a way to
make typing faster. As a result IM'ers use expressions
like "ppl" instead of people, and "skool" instead
of school. As a result, students often have difficulty
using correct spelling in their writing.
Also, IM can be done for hours at a time, and can
be more fun than playing outside, or exercising. IM
can be one of the causes of childhood obesity.
IM can be good, too. For people who are scared, or
just shy using computers, IM can be a good first step
into the computing world. also, IM allows people without
friends to find some online.
M's Guide to IM slang
lol = laugh out loud
nvm = nevermind
jk = just kiddin
pos = parent over shoulder
y = why |
u = you
r = are
jc = just chilling
omg = o my god
wat^ = whats up
nm = nothing much |
g2g = got to go
sup = what's up
brb = be right back
frg = forget it
ttyl = talk to you later |
|
