February 9, 2005
Texting helps shy teenagers to connect
The growth of text messaging has offered a lifeline to shy teenagers who would otherwise struggle to communicate, a study has found, reports The Telegraph.
"While texting is often seen as an anti-social activity, psychologists say it can boost the confidence of introverted and anxious people.
For Donna Reid, who carried out the study, "the people who prefer texting tend to be more socially anxious," she said. "Texting is offering them a way to communicate.
"It is providing a way for people who wouldn't have had the chance before to express themselves and maybe develop their relationships."
Texters use their phones to build confidence, Miss Reid said. "The most important finding to come out of this research is that texting is a positive and rapidly growing form of communication for people with an anxious personality," she added."
"It provides a means for socially anxious people to express themselves and gain confidence in their communications skills."
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