The fastest growing market of mobile phone users has been reported to be pre-teen children and the Ofcom Media Literacy Audit (2006) of over 1500 UK children reported that 49% of 8-11 year olds had their own mobile phone. However, whilst the expanding availability of this technology is apparent, its effects upon its users are not as clear. Questions have been raised about the effect of text messaging on standard literacy, and answered largely through speculation and anecdote. Detailed, objective answers to this question have important implications for the education of school age users of mobile technologies.
