Hypeline World News Report

The number of messages cellphone users sent jumped from 48 billion in December 2007 to 110 billion a year later. We’re becoming a nation of texters. According to data released Tuesday by the Census Bureau, Americans fired off 110 billion text messages in December 2008. In the same month in 2007, they sent 48 billion.

A full blown teenage trend.

US teens ages 13 - 17.

Teens are still developing their communication habits. So why is texting a teen trend? It’s efficient, and it’s private. Teens can text silently in a car’s back seat or in the family room without parents listening in on the conversation. The texts might be coded — maybe a simple emoticon or a LOL (laugh out loud), but it’s a way for young people to maintain a connection throughout the school day.

Not that teens are the only texters. About 65% of adults send or receive texts as well. Texting is convenient, fast and doesn’t require full attention.