Texting

..bzzz... "hey"
*bingbing* "hey sup"
..bzzz... "nm, want 2 hang out l8r?"
*bingbing* "ya def, meet u @7"

Texting. Is it lowering America's IQ? Everything is abbreviated and slang, which makes me wonder what is really happening to the English language. New words are invented through texting on a regular basis, and if they aren't real words, there are certainly new slang words being invented. I went to Catholic school and had grammar imbedded in my brain, but even I find myself abbreviating and using common "text" slang on occasion when it is surely inappropriate. Not only is it affecting grammar and language, it is definitely affecting personal face to face relationships. I mean, how much easier is it to approach someone via text message instead of in person? How much longer is it going to take until the entire world refuses to have face to face contact and everything is done through technology?