Seattle, WA – Somewhere out there is the mind that will produce the next great American novel. If, however, that would-be author is under the age of 18, the words he or she writes may be more of “SOZ” and “TGGTG” than beautiful, flowing prose.
“We have a whole generation being raised without communication skills,” says Jacquie Ream, former teacher and author of “K.I.S.S. Keep It Short and Simple” (Book Publishers Network). She contends text messaging and the internet are destroying the way our kids read, think and write.
A recent National Center for Education Statistics study reports only one out of four high school seniors is a proficient writer. A College Board survey of the nation’s blue-chip companies found only two thirds of employees are capable writers.
“These kids aren’t learning to spell. They’re learning acronyms and short hand,” says Ream. “Text messaging is destroying the written word. The students aren’t writing letters, they’re typing into their cell phones one line at a time. Feelings aren’t communicated with words when you’re texting; emotions are sideways smiley faces. Kids are typing shorthand jargon that isn’t even a complete thought.”
Reading may not be the problem. Neilsen/NetRatings reports the average 12 to 17-year-old visits more than 1,400 web pages a month. Ask that average teenager what they read and they may be able to tell you. Ask the average teenager what their opinion is on that blog or article and you may find them fumbling for thoughts that are their own.
“Critical thinking skills are not taught today. Teachers are forced to use what little classroom time they have to teach to the standardized tests. The kids learn how to regurgitate information to parrot it back for the correct answer, but they can’t process the thought and build on it.”
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