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Lately, the media is abuzz about the effect that text messaging is having on teens' emotional well-being and communication skills. A recent study presented last week to the American Psychiatric Association found that Korean high-school students who use their cell phones the most were also more likely to score higher on depression and anxiety tests. (LA Times)

In the business world, employers are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with oral communication skills of both high school and college graduates. "A 2005 report for Achieve, a non-profit organization that helps states raise academic standards, found that 34% of employers were dissatisfied with the oral communication skills of high school graduates; 45% of college students..." (USA Today)

While they might be the most technically savvy generation ever, is all of the blogging, IMing, and texting ultimately harming their ability to think and communicate face-to-face and in the moment? Here's one opinion from a 17-year old in Maryland:

"People are using texting to avoid confrontation. Many of my friends text nonstop. Aside from being poor communicators, they usually text about: breaking up [how messed up?!], someone owing money, or lame gossip [so and so did this]. Although you're never supposed to break up with people unless it's face to face, America's being crippled by texting capabilities, and now many teens must cry to their cell phones instead of the jerk that dumped them via phone."

A positive shift of typing vs. talking is a generation more adept at writing emotionally. They have grown up typing their hearts out. As a result, teens are comfortable writing intimately--and apparently, also comfortable writing about intimate topics.

San Francisco just launched a text messaging campaign called SexInfo aimed at getting advice on sex and health straight to teens via their cell phones. Teens can text SexInfo and by selecting codes, get immediate information, in their natural texting vernacular. For example, "a teen who types A1 because his condom broke will get this advice: "u may b at risk 4 STDs+HIV women can also be prgnant UCSF teen clinic MWF 1-5 400 Parnassus; 353-2002. City Clinic 356 7th St 487-5500 MWF 8-3 TuTh 1-3." (USA Today)

The Influx take? Texting isn't ruining teen communication skills, but it is changing them. Smart marketers will see the opportunities vs. the limitations of the new texting generation. Being a teen and communicating has never been easy, and that's something that every generation will share, no matter what tools they adopt.