Texting is sending written messages between phones or other devices, usually short ones that you type with your thumbs. When you text someone, you're having a conversation through words on a screen instead of talking out loud. People text to make plans, share quick updates, ask questions, or just stay in touch.

Texting became popular in the 1990s and changed how people communicate. Before texting, if you wanted to reach someone who wasn't home, you had to leave a voicemail or wait to call them back. Texting lets you send a message instantly that someone can read and answer whenever it's convenient. You might text your parent to say practice ended early, or text a friend about homework.

The informal nature of texting has created its own style of writing. People use abbreviations like brb (be right back) or lol (laughing out loud), and they often skip formal punctuation. This casual style works great for quick messages between friends, but it's not appropriate for schoolwork or formal communication.

One challenge with texting is that without hearing someone's voice or seeing their face, it's easy to misunderstand their tone. A short response like “ok” might seem annoyed when the person is just busy. Being thoughtful about what you text and how you phrase it can help prevent confusion and hurt feelings.