The pattern is similar in the US where volumes of texts have also dropped, according to a new report.
"For the first time in the history of mobile phones, SMS volumes are showing signs of decline," 'The Independent' quoted James Thickett, Ofcom's director of research, as saying.
"The availability of a wider range of communications tools, like instant messaging and social networking sites, means people might be sending fewer SMS messages, but they are communicating electronically more than ever before," Thickett said.
Technological change is now so rapid and so unpredictable that no one can say how we will be communicating in 20 years' time. However the SMS messages have been defining texts of the past two decades, the reports said.
Texting has even spawned its own language... Take a look at the selection of the most common words used in texting:
LOL - Laugh out loud TBH - To be honest B4N - Bye for now
OMG - Oh my God ROTFL - Rolling on the floor laughing ASL - Age, sex, location
BFF - Best friends forever ASAP - As soon as possible CU - See you
LMAO - Laugh my a** off FoMo - Fear of missing out AML - All my love
Thx - Thanks YoLo - You only live once Srsly - seriously
Swak - Sealed with a kiss WTH - What the hell RU - Are you
Gr8 - Great TTFN - Ta ta for now M8 -Mate
Atm - At the moment FYI - For your information B4 - Before
POV - point of view AFC - away from keyboard L8r - Later
TTYL - talk to you later BBL - Be back later XOXO - Hugs and kisses.
