(June 12, 2009) — Junior Alicyn Kitamura texts 100 times a day, contributing to the national teen texting average: 2,272 messages sent and received per month in the final quarter of 2008, according to The New York Times . The side effects of texting are a different matter, definitely not stimulating prominent national concern—yet. Teacher Diana McGrath, for one, doesn’t own a cell phone and believes that texting can, ironically, disconnect people. “I think the goal of texting and cellphones and various things like that is to bring people together,” McGrath said. “But I think it’s pulling people apart.” McGrath remembers that when she visited family during spring break, her niece would speak with her and text simultaneously. She believes this trend is hurting education, and assigned students to read an article alluding to research about the ineffectiveness of multi-tasking. “If you’re doing various things at the same time, then you’re short-sighted,” McGrath said. “You aren’t able to give your all to each individual task.” Kitamura says that texting keeps her from concentrating on school work at times, but she hasn’t seen a drop in her grades. “It’s only bad if you get too addicted and it affects your life,” she said. Because of Kitamura’s texting habits—she texts until midnight, when she goes to bed—her parents upgraded her to a texting plan. The result: even more texting. “I guess I could do it a little less,” she admitted, laughing. Teacher Susan Howe’s texting habits lie in between those of Kitamura and McGrath, averaging about 10 to 12 texts a day. Howe believes that if texting is used within reason, it can be a good alternate means of communication. “I think it says that we are becoming more dependent on technology, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.” Howe said. “But if it’s taken out of the guidelines and the parameters that are supposed to be followed, it can be a bad thing.” As the texting rate grows, some are beginning to consider the less obvious risks of texting. The New York Times , for instance, featured an article suggesting that texting may be taking its toll on thumbs with repetitive stress injuries. Kitamura, whose thumbs fortunately don’t hurt, laughed at the prospect, but believes it is possible. Meanwhile, Senior Albert Tom, who prefers a phone call to a text, says he knows people who have experienced hand cramps from texting. “It’s not that texting in itself is always bad,” Tom said. “It’s just that so many people take it to such an extreme that it makes it unhealthy.” McGrath says that the extent of texting can result in unnecessary stress as students replace quiet reflection with the anxiety of awaiting messages. “How can you reflect when you’re never away?” she said. “I think what’s happening to today is people do not realize—especially if you’re in a relationship with someone—that being unavailable is the best thing you can be to someone.” According to The New York Times , the easy access to communication between teens and parents via texting reins back the adolescent inclination towards independence. School psychologist Roselle Cacal says that while easy communication may be a feature of texting, it sharply reduces the crucial face to face communication between parents and their teens. However, Cacal, who averages 20 texts a day herself, says that good or bad, texting is this generation’s choice of communication. “I think it’s the quickest and most convenient way to communicate with other people,” Cacal said.