• Question: is it true that children's thumbs are more developed than adult's because we text so much?

    Asked by marybarry to Damien, Suzi, Tim on 23 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Hi @marybarry
      I don’t know whether this is true – I’ve not heard that before. I am an adult and I text quite a lot though 🙂

      It may be that use of mobile phones at a young age can change the way people develop, but as yet I’m not sure that they’ve been around long enough to be able to find these kinds of things out.

      Sorry I can’t fully answer your question, I’m not sure anyone can at the moment…

    • Photo: Tim Fosker

      Tim Fosker answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      Hi @marybarry

      I don’t know if that is true, but there has been some fantastic studies looking at how text language helps young children learn to read. Lots of parents and teachers were worried that using text speak like ‘m8’ for ‘mate’ would stop children learning how to read and spell properly. Actually the evidence suggests the opposite. Text words like ‘m8’ help children listen to the sounds in words more. That means children can sound words out to read them.

      So children’s thumbs may not be more developed, but there ability to read probably is! 😀

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