Within the last decade, our generation has become very dependent on the form of communication known as text messaging. Text messaging, or texting, is a quick and easy way to send and receive information via cellular devices. With a few swipes and taps on the touch screen of a mobile device, one can easily send a message to someone across the room or across the world. According to the results of a nationally representative sample reported in Pew Internet (2011), approximately 83% of American adults own cell phones and three-quarters of them (73%) send and receive text messages (qtd. ln Lou). Young adults are by far the most avid texters, sending an average of 109.5 messages on a normal day (qtd. In Luo). Texting has become integrated into many aspects of young adults' lives, especially impacting their romantic relationships. Young couples should embrace texting as a daily part of their lives because it improves relationship satisfaction by amplifying intimacy through increased availability and therefore enhancing face-to-face communication. .
The use of texting enhances a couple's intimacy due to the increased availability that it provides. Dr. Lori Cluff Schade, marriage and family therapist and author of Journal of Couple and Relational Therapy suggests that "In particular, the use of texting with cell phones can increase intimacy by making partners more available and expanding their repertoire of connection" (qtd. ln Schade et al). Texting allows partners to talk at any time of the day or night, in any setting. Phone calls, on the other hand, are limited to certain times of the days and certain locations, and are not nearly as private as texting. One can easily text in a library without disturbing others, yet, one cannot talk on the phone without being disruptive. Because texting allows partners to talk much more frequently, it increases intimacy and familiarity with one another, especially in the earlier stages of the relationship.
