Urban youth in Botswana and their habitual practice of texting

Abstract

In this article, I consider mobile phone consumption among urban youth in Botswana, focusing specifically on texting. During the course of this article, I demonstrate that due to the continuous need to connect with other people, as well as the inexpensive nature of texting on mobile phones, urban youth in Botswana have developed a penchant to texting on mobile phones. In particular, youth use text messaging on their devices to re-ensconce their traditional obligations of connecting with family, relatives and associates; and to link-up with their peers and other users through sms, chats, emails and online social networks. Despite this, much texting when other people are around is considered an ill-mannered activity among youth in Botswana. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that much texting, which is common among youth in Botswana is an indication that there is a close relationship between mobile phone use and the socio-economic challenges such as unemployment, poverty and rural to urban migration and that users of these devices face.