Text To Connect With the Under 25'sters!

Most teens keep their phones on vibrate or silent, which means they don't hear their cell phone ring when you call. If you're relying on e-mail to be the window into your favorite teen's world, or if your thinking when you call they'll pick up, you haven't been given the 411 on teen communication.

What will actually happen when you give them a ringy-dingy? You'll probably get voice mail. What about the 37 e-mails you've sent over the last 6 months to your grandson in college? They're probably still sitting in his in-box, or maybe they went into a spam folder. Bottom line: expect your voice messages NOT to be heard and e-mails not to be read.

As of Q1 2009:

Teens average 2900 text messages a month and only 231 calls a month. Some teens send as many as 15,000 texts a month, and make under ten calls during the same time frame.

If this information is brand new to you, it's time to Read Between the Lines and opt for a new communication solution.

Would you prefer to get an instant response to your nagging parental questions - or just a single response from your grandkid?

If this is sounding like a dream come true, then you need to send him or her a text. You should get a response within seconds. The unwritten code of conduct for the under 25'sters is to answer every text within seconds of receiving it.

One of the main reasons I wrote Read Between the Lines was to get more people connecting more often. I know, having a personal conversation is so much better than a text, but often a call isn't possible or isn't convenient. These are perfect examples of when you can take advantage of how easy a text message is to send, and how quickly you'll get the answer to your question - just like that!

Just text it!