TXT2CONNECT: Survey Indicates Text Messaging Improves Parent-Child Communications

ATLANTA, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixty-three percent of parents who use text messaging believe that it improves their communication with their children, according to a recent Cingular survey on text messaging and parents conducted by Mediathink. In addition, 65 percent of parents who text message say they communicate more frequently with their children when they are away from home and 64 percent said that texting made their kids easier to reach.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/cingular/25194/

As a result, Cingular has teamed with clinical psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Ruth Peters to develop "TXT2CONNECT - A Parent's Text Tutorial." The tutorial provides parents with tips from Dr. Peters on how to better communicate with their kids via text messaging and to understand popular text messaging lingo.

"Wireless phones and text messaging have become a central force in the way tweens and teens connect with one another," said Dr. Ruth Peters. "Kids want to communicate -- but on their terms. Parents who are in vogue with the text messaging trend can stay in better touch with their kids and connect with them on their level and in a more meaningful way."

The survey indicated that nearly half of parents who use text messaging were taught to do so by their children. Forty-five percent of parents who text message said they are most likely to send a text message to their child on weekends when they are out with their friends. Sixty-nine percent of parents who text said they use text jargon, such as "R U Home" or "BGood" when communicating with their kids via text messaging.

"This survey confirms that text messaging is helping to close the communications gap between parents and kids," said Jim Ryan, vice president of consumer data services for Cingular Wireless. "Wireless messaging has become a very popular way to communicate, as evidenced by the fact that Cingular delivered 8.7 billion text messages and 131 million multi-media messages in the second quarter of 2006 alone. Cingular is pleased to team with Dr. Ruth Peters to teach parents how to better communicate with their kids using wireless messaging."

According to Dr. Peters, text messaging is a great option for parents and kids to stay in touch because:

* Parents get a quick answer to their questions. This is good for today's busy kids, who are often in between school and extra-curricular activities or hanging out with friends, and might not, or in some cases can't, take the time for a normal conversation. * Kids are more apt to respond to text messages when they are with their friends. It is more discreet and their answers don't have to be as detailed as in a conversation. * You, or they, don't have to worry about tone of voice. Some kids tend to become defensive when they hear their parent's tone of voice, which often results in delayed return phone calls or avoidance. Texting helps to take tone of voice and misinterpretation out of the mix and can improve response times. * Texting allows you to enter your child's world. By using text messaging, parents can communicate in the style their children are used to, and become more hip in their children's eyes. An example might be a parent who sends a text to her daughter on a blind date to ask her how the date is going. "Is he Mr. Wonderful?" or "Is he a frog or a prince?" * Text messaging allows parents to compose and edit a message before pressing send. If emotion surrounds an issue, Dr. Peters often counsels parents to write things out before actually saying them to their kids to help edit their thoughts. By making parents think about it more, texting removes explosive emotions from potentially charged communications and situations. * Texting vs. calling gives kids more space but allows parents to keep in touch as often as necessary. For instance, it is a good way to double check their child's whereabouts without nagging. * Text messaging can also be used to strengthen parent-child bonds, and let kids know that their parents are thinking of them. Send them a text wishing them good luck before the school play audition, or let them know you are thinking of them if there is something they were concerned about such as a difficult test or a grade. Data Pricing

Cingular has introduced new messaging packages and MEdia Bundles that offer four ways to message -- text, picture, video and Instant Messaging -- for one price. Customers have the freedom to message anyway to anyone without worry what each message costs. Whether it is a text, picture, video or instant message, every message counts the same.

The new MEdia Works bundle includes 1,000 text, picture, video and Instant Messages and 5 megabytes of MEdia Net (includes wireless Internet, mobile email and downloadable usage) for $14.99 a month. This bundle and other similar packages are a 75 percent value over pay per use rates. For more details on all MEdia Net bundles, please visit http://www.cingular.com/.

Wireless Messaging: An Industry Trend

Cingular has experienced significant growth in wireless messaging over the last year, spurred by increasing popularity of text messaging, photo messaging, video messaging, mobile instant messaging, mobile email, downloadable games and ringtones. In the second quarter of 2006 alone, Cingular delivered 8.7 billion text messages and 131 million multi-media messages. The company also broke its own record for a text messaging campaign this year during American Idol Season 5, with more than 64.5 million text messages sent throughout the season.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted online by Mediathink during the week of August 14, 2006 and surveyed 1,175 parents. The margin of error for this sample is plus or minus three percentage points.

About Cingular Wireless

Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 57.3 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corporation , has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER(TM) network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless technology. Its 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(r), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com/. Get Cingular Wireless press releases emailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://cingular.mediaroom.com/.

About Dr. Ruth Peters

Dr. Ruth Peters, a clinical psychologist, author and parenting expert on The Today Show and MSNBC, has advised parents for more than 30 years on how to stay on top of their kids' lives and activities. She has served as a Contributing Editor to Child magazine. Dr. Peters' books include Who's In Charge? A Positive Parenting Approach to Disciplining Children (Lindsay Press), Don't Be Afraid To Discipline (St. Martin's Press), It's Never Too Soon To Discipline (St. Martin's Press), Overcoming Underachieving: A Simple Plan to Boost Your Kids' Grades and End the Homework Hassles (Broadway Books), and Laying Down The Law: The 25 Laws of Parenting to Keep Your Kids on Track, Out of Trouble, and (Pretty Much) Under Control (Rodale).