Most teenagers are practically addicted to texting. They are permanently glued to their cell phones - it has almost become an extra body part. But little do they know that texting too much can actually pose health risks. According to a recent study, the average teen sends and receives 50 texts a day, or 1 500 a month. Girls send more than guys, but the rate in both sexes, aged 12 to 17, remain high.

It is clear that texting is the main form of communication for teens. But why do they prefer texting? "Teens love to talk and traditionally that's what they did a lot. Now texting has replaced conversation and become a crutch. Texting is often less threatening than having a real conversation. It's easier and quicker. Many teens say they haven’t really thought about why they text rather than talk - they just do it," says counsellor Janine Shamos. Teens’ interpersonal communication skills are on the decline due to too much texting. "Texting is replacing conversation with the result that, even though teens may have hundreds of Mxit and sms friends they feel alone and isolated, and they don’t form real relationships or connections with other people. The less teens talk the less they are able to, and the more likely they are to live in an online world," says Shamos. Text messages are often misunderstood or misinterpreted, as one cannot read tone or attitude, and for teens this, combined with teen angst and moodiness, can be more traumatic than needs be.

A recent study published in the SA Medical Journal found that texting was taking its toll on South African Teens’ thumbs. Some reported blisters on their thumbs, or even pain/tingling in their necks, hands or backs. According to Health24.com Swedish Researchers also found that in serious cases excessive wear and tear can cause inflammation of the basal joint (at the base of the thumb) which can lead to arthritis. Thumb arthritis can cause hand pain, swelling, decreased strength and range of motion. Repetitive typing can also irritate the tissues in the hand and create pain, however, these stress injuries can take years to develop. Some of the negative effects of texting, as reported by an Australian researcher, are: Textraphrenia – the mistaken belief that you heard or felt your phone ringing. Post-traumatic text disorder – when teens who sms too much walk into things while texting or become oblivious to what is going on around them. Texiety is the crisis of confidence that teens go through when they don’t receive a text for a long time, and binge texting is the sending of many texts at one time to boost your own confidence. Another result of excessive texting is known as Sexting. This is when teens share naked pictures of themselves over the phone. Sexting can be very dangerous, because some people pretend do be someone they are not over social networks.

"Sexting often leads to sex and raises all sorts of feelings that teens may not be comfortable with. It is often seen as a safer option, which it may be, but it must be remembered that it is still an intimate act and shouldn't be taken lightly just because it is over the phone. Teens feel it is safer - they may not be ready for sex but have desires and curiosity. It is a fun, safe way to be intimate, but can be unfulfilling or leave teens feeling dirty or rejected if their Sexting buddy has multiple partners," says Shamos.

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