As Text Messages Fly, Danger Lurks

As industry calculations show that Americans are now using mobile phones to send or receive more text messages (also known as SMS messaging (the abbreviation stands for short message service) than phone calls, those messages are coming under increasing fire because of the danger they can pose by distracting users. Though there are no official casualty statistics, there is much anecdotal evidence that the number of fatal accidents stemming from texting while driving, crossing the street or engaging in other activities is on the rise. The fight against text messages is also reaching beyond the realm of public safety. The National Collegiate Athletic Association's board recently upheld a 2007 ban on all text-messaging by coaches to student recruits. Theaters, too, long accustomed to chiding cellphone users as well as people who crumple their cough drop wrappers, have taken on texting. And, assisted by cellphone service providers, parents have moved to limit the hours in which their children can get and send text messages.