Due to recent innovations, instant messaging and mobile phones have taken over daily life and their effects have taken a toll on society. The invention of cell phones made life easier in many ways, but issues such as health and safety concerns also emerged. The reason cell phones are necessary and crucial is clear: convenience. It's simpler, more efficient and much faster than going to see the person you want to contact, sending a letter or telegram or using a landline. Another reason for the popularity of this electronics is peer pressure. People don't like to be left out, which is part of the reason why Apple releases a new iPhone almost every year, and so many people buy it even if their current phone is in good shape. One of the most pronounced effects of instant messaging on society is its effect on literacy. Texting abbreviations, such as acronyms like LOL or OMG, leaving the "g" from a word, or removing vowels from a word, are intended for efficiency and speed purposes. An example of this is taken from a hypothetical formal note written by a first-year law student at IDC-Herzliya: "xs cmpnstn fnds wl b nvstd 4srvvng fmly mmbrs", which apparently means "the compensation funds surplus will be invested for the surviving members of the family. » (Berman.) Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Needless to say, the student was quickly removed from the class for which the formal note had been written. Instant messaging slang gets a bad rap due to its sloppy nature, ability to be easily confused, and its appearance in formal writing, but research has shown that young people who use texting slang cultivate their understanding of language and culture and thus increase their literacy level (Craig. ) Much research can still be done on this issue, but current studies prove that instant messaging has positive effects on reading skills and in writing. Security is another major effect of instant messaging. The ability to easily call authorities or emergency response vehicles is an incredible privilege that cell phone users have compared to those in third world countries. But this advantage can also be used for bad and illegal actions. Sexual predators and online bullies are circulating the internet, waiting to attack an unknown victim. Another malicious use of the Internet and instant messaging is illegal transactions and conversations between criminals on the dark web. The overall danger of being able to contact a complete stranger and be able to tell them anything is mind-boggling. Another danger of instant messaging is distracted driving. Thousands of people die every year due to road accidents, and one of the leading causes of accidents is none other than cell phones. The driver usually looks at a text message on his phone and does not pay attention to the road, and an accident occurs. It is very sad that so many people are losing their lives this way, because of instant messaging. Another obvious effect of instant messaging is health problems. Cell phones are commonly used to send instant messages, but they have dangerous consequences. Zahid Naeem.