Kid sends 14,528 text messages in one month |
629 Comments |
Posted by Marc Saltzman at 2:41 PM | E-mail this post
And you thought your kids were addicted to text messaging. Have you heard about this Californian teen who sent 14,528 text messages in one month? OMG!
Thirteen year-old Reina Hardesty's father wasn't "LOL" when he read last month's AT&T cell phone bill. The 440-page statement listed an incredible 14,528 text messages sent in one month.
Um, that works out to be about 484 text messages a day, on average. Yes, a day.
Fortunately, the Hardesty family has a $30/month unlimited texting plan or else this AT&T bill would have been nearly $3,000.
According to a U.S.-based Nielsen study, the average number of monthly texts for a 13- to 17-year-old teen is about 1,742.
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Posted by Marc Saltzman at 2:41 PM in Handhelds
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Glen on January 14 at 7:28 PM | Report abuse
My daughter is the same as well. She is 14 with her first phone and so far in three week she has hit 11696 text messages. She is also on a pay as you go plan with unlimited text for $15/ month. I am so glad these options are there, however it just shows that kids today would rather text than talk. They can say whatever they want without the fear of what someone may done in front of them.
Bev on January 14 at 8:00 PM | Report abuse
The problem with that, is that without face to face communication, the words are quite often misunderstood, and fights can take place, that would not have happened if the conversation had taken place face to face. It feels safe, when it is texting, it is not ok, for several reasons, including one person saying things, they would not otherwise say, because they are being pressured into saying it. It has happened at my local high school, and ended up with an after school fight between students, all because the first person said things they did not mean, but were made to feel that they had to by the people they were with. These were nice kids, good friends, and they ended up in a fight because of text messaging. My personal kids gave up on texting because of it, and now use full proper English while face booking and email, all on their own.
It is time to put a face back into communication - convenience it not all that it is cracked up to be.
Michelle on January 15 at 12:50 AM | Report abuse
12,000 is a lot of text messages. Are you concerned at all?
Michelle on January 15 at 1:26 AM | Report abuse
I'm just curious, not trying to sound judgemental or harsh
Joff on January 15 at 3:08 AM | Report abuse
That is certainly a poor way for any teenager to spend their time.
James on January 15 at 12:35 PM | Report abuse
This kid has WAYYYY to much time on her hands.
JJ on January 15 at 1:29 PM | Report abuse
Wow! $30/mo for unlt txt msgs is expensive. Telus in Canada only charges UNLT TXT msgs for only $15/mo. For $20 you get unlt txt and unlt web browsing on cell phs.
Sara on January 16 at 12:04 AM | Report abuse
That seems like such a waste of time...arent there more productive things to be done, such as studying?
Mal on January 16 at 12:09 AM | Report abuse
Who cares how little it costs ... she/they should all get out and see what happens outside their cosy little text world. Who knows they might find they enjoy outside life.
Mackdude on January 16 at 12:13 AM | Report abuse
Thats unbelievable! I actually know someone who found out that their provider's unlimited texting is actually only 2000 per day, and they found out at their 2000th message in one day!!!
Raissa on January 16 at 12:15 AM | Report abuse
Wowwww, and I thought I was bad. I use up 50-100 messages per day. Thats about 3000 per month. Sure am glad I have unlimited! But wow, this girl is amazing! I'd like to see a list of how many texts I have each month.
Carol on January 16 at 12:17 AM | Report abuse
Uh oh, guess which family is going to have a major increase in their texting charges the next time this service comes up for renewal? No company likes to lose money the way this telecommunications company just did...
Tanya on January 16 at 12:25 AM | Report abuse
No matter the age i'm 24 i used to do double that. On rogars (in canada) i payed $20 unlt everything (txt,brw,pic txt ect) so how you ask. My msn, facebook,hotmail all come to my cell by text. So With all the tech now a days everything moved into something that always on hand.... a cellphone. So we know that the cell phone will be around for years cuz its always on hand.
Crystal on January 16 at 12:30 AM | Report abuse
Its not that she has too much time on her hands. Im 17 and i send about 10 000 a month, but im always busy and never at home alot. Cells are convienent to send a little message to someone
Lars on January 16 at 12:31 AM | Report abuse
That is chump change i send 15000 strong a week!!! and i am only 15... they have alot to learn about texting. It is an art in its self, some say it is quality I say it is quantity!
Snowy Owl on January 16 at 12:39 AM | Report abuse
So when exactly did she have time for school, sleep, or eating etc? The kid is addicted to texting. I wonder how she is handling the widrawal?
Ahmer on January 16 at 12:45 AM | Report abuse
well what i think is its a waste of time and parents r responsible forit .. this is the first reason why children spoil theirselves .. noboddy is there to ask them .. what u r doing .. anyways .. parents should make a habit of saying NO to somethings for teenagers ..
Shay on January 16 at 12:47 AM | Report abuse
thats actually pathetic maybe you should go out and hang out with friends instead of sitting there texting constantly. texting should be used for, "hey, whats up lets hang out" and "party at this persons house". no relationship can be sustained over texting and people need to stop relying on it. try living a little.
Joey on January 16 at 12:48 AM | Report abuse
I've said it over and over, people nowadays have no business being parents because they let their children do whatever the heck they want without any consequences. So, that's why these kids have absolutely no parameters from which to judge their actions. Regardless of the fact that their wireless plan had unlimited texting, parents need to set boundaries for their children on little things to teach them responsibility so that they'll be better equipped to deal with the larger issues that will inevitably come their way later in life. Things are really different nowadays. MOST teens have no sense of responsibility or taking ownership of their actions.
Shane on January 16 at 12:48 AM | Report abuse
Why all the weirdos posting? Also, texting that much is sad and pathetic. When you're with friends and you're texting other people... your socializing priorities need to be fixed.
A 14 year-old text addict on January 16 at 12:49 AM | Report abuse
Woah! that's insane in 2 months i send 22000 texts. but 14,000 in a month? thats crazi! her phone must be over used haha. and if peopel sya parents should be concerned i strongly disagree! it's how we haev been raised in society and all, so no one should be concerned texting is all part of living now. so ya lol texting isnt as bad as doing drugs right? wouldnt you rather ur teen texting 24/7 than smoking , drinking or dating?
and my mom is jsut as bad as i am with texting
dave on January 16 at 12:54 AM | Report abuse
I think this comment page should be shut down now!!! some of the comments are not nice...come on people get a life!!!
Anonamis on January 16 at 12:56 AM | Report abuse
What a waste of paper the Company Should be Fined For wasting so many trees
who_cares on January 16 at 1:01 AM | Report abuse
what i want to know is why that cellphone bill was 440 pages long! like geez, do they show what all the text messages are saying???
Claire on January 16 at 1:07 AM | Report abuse
jeeez! i thought i was addicted with 100- 150 a day.. meh
i wonder what shes texting about....?
Interwebz is my life on January 16 at 1:09 AM | Report abuse
Yeah, because ya know, making racial slurs and critiquing spelling and grammar online (Illiterate much....) is your only source of high-fives from friends, doesn't mean I want to be subjected to the results of your parents inbreeding experimentations. When you have an intelligent comment to make (and I'm not holding my breath on that idea) then come back and share it with us. Until then, stay back in Texas with the rest of your hillbilly cousin-siblings please.
Now then, as for the idea of texting - Why? Is it so much to ask to actually use a phone as a goddamn phone? Personally, I think texting shouldn't be a feature on phones, period. It's ridiculous how buggered up it has made people's spelling and grammar. Must teenagers can't even spell properly thanks to "txt-speek", and this in America where the average person's literacy and spelling isn't exactly that impressive to begin with.
John on January 16 at 1:17 AM | Report abuse
That's about 1 every two minutes non-stop from 9 a.m. to midnight. This kid is dedicated.
Reader on January 16 at 1:39 AM | Report abuse
I'm a teen, and I don't see what the fascination is with texting. I see kids doing it in the middle of class all the time. And some talk constantly. What can a person possibly have to talk about that demands instant reply? I really hope schools get cell phone signal scramblers soon, then I may be able to get some work done without having to block out annoying giggles about a new text.
Sessy on January 16 at 1:44 AM | Report abuse
That's madness! She's 13!!! Doesn't she go to school? When does she have time to send 484 texts a day? WHEN!? Not my kid I tell ya, not my kid.
Chelsea on January 16 at 1:47 AM | Report abuse
I'm 17 years old, and I text over 200 texts a day. It's an easier way to stay in touch, and doesn't cost as much money, I'm on a bell plan where i have unlimited texting but 100 minutes daytime to share with everyone else whos on my plan. and 100 minutes doesnt go far. I don't see the big deal about it, it's like im'ing. Evidently, texting and instant messaging does NOT make these kids have poor spelling, it's either the parents or teachers who did not correct their spelling mistakes. I can spell perfectly well, it's just a lot simpler to write "wat r u up 2?" on a text message, because if half of you old folks tried to text, you'd take 10 minutes to find the buttons, whereas, most of us can text up to 100 characters a minute on a cell, not to mention, not looking at the screen. ;) Texting, as I see it, is a talent.
marisa on January 16 at 1:49 AM | Report abuse
Kids now a days, have no social skills. They hide behind the text messaging and computer. Then when it comes time to talk publically whether amongst extended relatives or at work, they either mumble or don't show convidence. Also because of text messaging and computer they have no people skills and don't know how to communicate with them if a problem arises and if a phone call needs to be made.
They need to either get a job or do volunteering. This helps them with their life skills. Hiding behind a cell phone or computer just spells disaster for the future.
Missy on January 16 at 1:50 AM | Report abuse
OK, number of texts aside....... a 440 page phone bill? Is it not possible for a phone company to notify you when a phone bill will be so huge so they can save on paper and send it electronically?
Melissa on January 16 at 1:51 AM | Report abuse
Wow, I'm surprised. My texting usually usually go over 1000...and I'm 14 years old...
Not that I don't blame us 14 year olds as being total low lifes...I prefer to call people...not text. Texting makes things just THAT much more confusing...
patti on January 16 at 1:53 AM | Report abuse
seriously, does a kid that age reallllllllllllllllly need a cell phone?
blossom on January 16 at 2:13 AM | Report abuse
i got my 14 year old a cell phone not too long ago
maybe 4 months ago and he has never even sent one text message, he even told me a couple of times he doesnt even want a cell phone!
Red on January 16 at 2:15 AM | Report abuse
WOW! And I thought I texted too much! haha not even close!
backwardsboB on January 16 at 2:19 AM | Report abuse
C'mon do you believe this ? This is like sending a message every minute for 8 FULL hours a day. FOR A MONTH - don't think so. Sounds a bit far fetched to me
21 yold on January 16 at 2:22 AM | Report abuse
lol some of these comments r pretty funny
keith falconer on January 16 at 2:25 AM | Report abuse
No wonder USA is so far down the international list of school grades. Have parents completely abdicated their responsibilities to ensure a high level for their children's education. 1000 texts per month-what a waste of time.
Yee Boii ( L ) on January 16 at 2:37 AM | Report abuse
Seriously Why Do So Many Poeple On Here Have A Problem With Texting ?
It's Not The End Of The World, I Text All Day Long And Look At Me, I Can Talk 'Normal' And Not Use Slang In A Conversation . Jeezz, Grow The Fucck Up People; Your Some Immature.
I Thought I Texted Alot By Sending 100's A Day But Over 14000 In A Month ... Thats Crazy Shieet Riight There.
She Likely Must Hold Some Kind Of World Record For That And Which Mobile Company In Their Right Mind Sends Over A 400 Page Phone Bill, Like Good Lord Get Real.
And If Anyone Says Anything About My Grammar It's Because I'm From Newfounland That I Talk Like This, I Think Something And I Write It How It Sounds.
I Heart Chuu. ( L )
Steven on January 16 at 2:42 AM | Report abuse
yeah i text alot to its just away to keep up with everyone i have friends from all over the country from victoria to pei and its so easy to quickly take a pic (picture) to see whats going on and im so glad for the unlimited texting or else my bill a month would most likey be around $3000 and whoever said that its a waste of time that is something you shoulod to keep to your self at least they arent going out getting high or drunk
brodyr on January 16 at 2:42 AM | Report abuse
knowing kids these days all her texts were most likely monosyllabic "OMG"s and "LOL"s... wonderful how far in the intellectual gutter our society is going.
Fen on January 16 at 2:44 AM | Report abuse
Such a waste of TIME and MONEY.
TJ on January 16 at 2:51 AM | Report abuse
My question is where are this young girls parents. This just goes to show society, that parents today have no clue what their children are doing, and in some cases, don't care. It's another perfect example of BAD PARENTING!!! If this young girl has the time to text over 14,000 messages, just goes to show how horrible parents she has. Perhaps her parents should actually start spending time with their child, and on that note, parents in general society should start doing the same. To many childrens parents are xbox 360's and Apple computers.
isabel on January 16 at 2:55 AM | Report abuse
that's a lot of texting. I don't send nearly that amount, but I wouldn't condemn texting either. It's good for keeping in touch with old friends after graduation, or relatives that live far away...
ryan on January 16 at 3:02 AM | Report abuse
nearly 15,000 txts in a month thats insane .. i have 2500/ month on my contract and im lucky to break 1000 a month.. just a good thing for unlimited txting though :S
RB on January 16 at 3:04 AM | Report abuse
"According to a U.S.-based Nielsen study, the average number of monthly texts for a 13- to 17-year-old teen is about 1,742." I don't think so.
Janice on January 16 at 3:06 AM | Report abuse
What concerns me is the 440 page bill.
Can't they send it electronically?!
That is SUCH a waste of paper.
Also, being a teenager I take personal offence to some of the comments written in this feed. Learn to use proper grammar!
Health-wise, it's incredibly unsafe to use a cell phone as much as the people in this feed claim to. Cell phones expell radioactive rays that are harmful to your brain, not to mention the strain on your hands from sending all those text messages. Get smart people!
DA on January 16 at 3:15 AM | Report abuse
To Yee Boii:
Perhaps you truly believe that everything is just great. Your grammar, spelling and general ability to write certainly needs improvement. If you spend more time learning and less time texting you may come to realize this. There is nothing wrong with texting and I don't believe anyone here is saying there is. Having said this, there is something wrong with going beyond what's reasonable. Based on your post I sense you're young. Hopefully as you age and mature you'll realize the problems associated with your beliefs.
DrTop on January 16 at 3:17 AM | Report abuse
With due respect if you (both the kids and parents) think this is funny and harmless then you are brain dead. Why kids need a cell phone with text messaging anyway? I don't want to repeat some of the comments here: BAD PARENTAL & FAMILY EDUCATION, WASTE OF TIME & MONEY etc. As a medical doctor my kids are not allowed to wear headphones because I have no intentio for them to develop premature hearing loss, it is a waste of taxpayers' money. During this cold Christmas Seasons we hand wrote our Christmas cards and walked to the post office in the snow. If you want to keep in touch with your parents or friends, just call from home if needed be and don't give me this peer pressure craps!