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Traditional methods of communication have been revolutionized since the advent and subsequent advancement of the mobile phone. It has been estimated that ninety-one percent (91%) of American adults own a cell phone (Duggan, 2013) and the functionality thereof has evolved over the years, making the cellphone one of the most technologically pervasive influences (Morril, Jones & Vaterlaus, 2013). Of all activities performed on cell phones, it has been determined that approximately 81% of cellphone owners use their cellphones to send or receive text messages (Duggan, 2013). This activity is interminably one of the most prevalent practices among consumers. Cellular phone usage and texting in particular is especially ubiquitous amongst younger adults (Morril, Jones & Vaterlaus, 2013). In 2008, mobile phone users in the age range 18-24 sent 790 text messages on average per month, which is twofold the monthly messages sent by the average mobile phone subscriber of 357 messages (Langer, Jones & McNabb, 2011). In addition, Duggan (2013) determined that education and socioeconomic status also influence the degree of cellphone usage amongst adults, in that the college-educated and those living in higher-income households are more likely to own a cellphone.

According to a data table prepared by Statista (2014), the number of mobile phone users was 4.4 billion in 2010, globally, and is estimated to approach 5.5 billion by 2018. Data compiled by the International Telecommunications Union [ITU] (n.d.), revealed that in 2001, mobile cellular subscriptions in The Bahamas was determined to be 60,555 users; however, as of 2013, the number of subscribers experienced a vast increase to 287,000 users which equates to 76.05% of the 2013 population in its entirety (International Telecommunications Union [ITU], n.d.). These statistics virtually mirror that which was proffered by Morril, Jones & Vaterlaus (2013) in regards to trends in the United States from 1995 to 2006. The consumer’s adoption of the mobile phone has made it virtually indispensable to everyday life and it has begun to reframe the user’s functioning in society. As a result of the universal trends in cell phone usage, researchers have begun to explore possible social and psychological consequences on individual development due to the widespread use of this technology. In addition to this, the investigators have also delved into the exploration of gender dissimilarities in text messaging.

Past research of gender differences in texting have found that teens and young adults are the most continual users of text messaging (Morrill, Jones,& Vaterlaus, 2013), with females reporting to utilize this style of communication exceedingly more than males (Kimbrough, Guadagno, Muscanell & Dill, 2013). Although this group uses cellular phones for safety, convenience, and entertainment purposes, it is also employed for other functions as well such as fashion, affection, relaxation, planning, and perceived emancipation. These are areas in which both parents and teenagers have reported that they’ve used their cellular phones (Morrill, Jones & Vaterlaus, 2013). Earlier investigations have also discovered gender disparities in the way that males and females communicate, “perceived emancipation from parents,” (Morrill et al., 2013) and emotional reliability (Ling, 2001, 2005; Ling & Yttri, 2005; Park, 2005; Vincent 2006 (as cited by Morrill et al., 2013).

Cellular phones influence social skills, social interactions and identifications among this group as well. Morrill (2009; 2013) was fluent in studies of determining the extent of the role mobile phones played on socialization. In 2009, the author conducted a study and found that participants who had higher scores on friendship attitudes also reported sending/receiving more text messages each month. However, this was only true of females and not males. In fact, the males were less likely to use text messaging and have positive friendship attitudes. Additionally, in 2013 the author discovered two previous studies that established that cellphones are related to socialization in young people. One of the studies done in Asia by Ling (2005) found that peer socialization by cellular phones can be adopted as a means of “integration into a peer group and boundary testing.” Norwegian analyses added that text messaging had a strong relation to formation of peer groups. The adolescents in the study admitted to feeling less lonely and more popular. Results from an additional study by Reid and Reid (2010) reflected the same, in that young people who felt lonely and socially anxious are more likely to engage in communication via text messaging. Their findings suggest that this use of cellular phones for social connection to peers contribute to the young person’s emerging identity.

In addition to its influence on socialization, mobile phones can also be attributed to fostering relationships. An application directed by the University of Washington noticed that at least two thirds of text messages sent by teens were relational based, i.e. conversations surrounding arrangements, greetings, maintenance of friendships, romance, etc. (Langer, Jones, & McNabb, 2011). In regards to gender, Igarashi, Takai & Yoshida (2009) discovered that there are discrepancies in terms of interpersonal relationships for both face-to-face (FTF) and mobile phone messaging social networks. The authors uncovered that females were more likely to form a large group with FTF social networks but males developed smaller groups, then over time created larger groupings.

Studies centered toward the use of cellular phones as a means of establishing relationships has suggested that females are more likely to use text messaging and email to maintain relationships and have in-depth conversations (Reid & Reid, 2010; Langer, Jones & McNabb, 2011). On the other hand, Forgays et al., (2014) discovered that men considered cell phone use more appropriate across social situations than women and made more general statements, making the conversation task oriented (Langer, Jones & McNabb, 2011). Although females use this avenue more than males to foster and build relationships, males find this means of communication more convenient for the task at hand which shows a distinct difference in the gender’s reasons for texting.

During their research, Morrill et al., (2013) found that females