Does text messaging harm students' writing skills?

I am a teacher at high school in Durban what i have noticed is that learner usually go to social networks whereby they shorten words when writing so they over do it even in class test and assignments.Iuse to tell them that they must practise not to write it in class because they are going to fail.I have also done a research proposal an the university investigating about the same issue i found wierd that it is more commonly used at the unversity that in high school ans am suprised how they passed englihsh in grade 12 using this slang language.

Hi, I'm 13 and I use texting all the time. I'm not saying I shorten words all the time but when it comes to school I do write thing properly and do care about my grade in class. Now theirs some other kids who "Don't" care about school and take everything like it's just a game. I'm seeing all the comments and it seems that only teachers and parents are commenting... I'm just trying to do my homework (exsacly about this) and I'm trying to give someone another point of view (: Just Saying...

Im 13 and I text all the time, yes I will shorten words when I'm texting or on Msn. School is another thing, some kids don't seem to care about how the speel things or if it's right or wrong. On the other hand the people who do care about how the write and what grade their getting "do" write things correctly. I'm just trying to give someone another point of view, I'm seeing all this comment and it seems to me only parent's and teacher's are commenting. just getting it out there (:

I personaly text all the time and have managed to keep my ability to type and write legibly. It's not that big of a deal so long as teachers require students to leave "txt tlk" in the phone.

Hello. My name is Dianthis Nekok and I am doing a report on texting. Would you say that the changes you have noticed are bad ones or good ones?

i tink dat txt msg is k do u???? lalala

idk bout txting txting is smf !!! dont u tink? hahaha

ur just plain dumb lady i talk juss like he do i needa xplane it 2 u? it dont affect nuttin to txt durin class txtin is fine and awesome !

PSH it does not ! i text during class 24/7 and have straight A's it doesnt affect anything ! if u ask me itll control your class better and they wont act up and FYI my english teacher mrs.rowley says i have absolutely GORGEOUS handwriting ... dumm ppl !

It's more trouble to learn a new, albeit inferior, "language." For example, it would be just as e-z to write "needs." And cutting a letter out of "texting" takes MORE time, as people need to stop and think.