How many text messages do you think are sent each day? The global total tops out at 23 billion—that's 270,000 each minute! And that's not counting the communication that takes place via messaging apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, or Facebook Messenger. Moreover, many of us prefer contacting our friends and family members through text messages to making a phone call.

SMS has changed the way we stay in touch, mostly for the better. However, there are also plenty of times when people dread seeing that notification from their texting app. If you have been a little overzealous when it comes to expressing yourself through texts, read on to learn what could happen if the recipient of your missives is feeling harassed.

The Downsides of Text Technology

If you have a cell phone, you've no doubt received some spam texts. Just as with spammy emails, these messages might mimic communications from your bank, the IRS, an acquaintance, a sweepstakes company claiming that you've won a big prize, or a FedEx driver trying to deliver a package. This is called “smishing,” and experts say that to be on the safe side, you should never click any links sent to you from unknown numbers. It's best not to open those texts at all.

Texting is also more insidious than the traditional telephone. It's easy for a person to ignore a call or send it straight to voicemail when they're in the middle of something. But texts are harder to ignore; often, a preview of the message appears right alongside the notification. Even if we've disabled that feature, lots of us have trouble not opening a text. This means that unwanted messages can sneak through much more reliably than voicemails.

What Is Text Harassment?

By definition, harassment means receiving unwanted, often frequent, communication from another. It can take place in person, over the phone, through the internet, or via SMS. There are several different ways texts can be considered harassment:

• Texts that are threatening, abusive, or bullying in nature
• Texts that continue despite the recipient's request for them to stop
• An excessive number of texts in a short period of time
• Texts from the same person using different phones or “burner” phones
• Texts from someone who is legally prohibited (say, by a protective order) from contacting the recipient at all

People who receive unwanted texts can, and do, report them to the police. Law enforcement takes this issue seriously, and for good reason.

Texting's Biggest Drawback

Emails, direct messages on social media platforms, live chat, and SMS communiques all share one big problem: unlike telephones, video conferencing, or in-person conversations, it can be difficult to detect the sender's intention. That's one reason that emoticons and emojis are so popular—they help mitigate potential misunderstanding. Sarcasm, tongue-in-cheek remarks, playful language, or gentle, well-intentioned teasing are among the trickiest tones of all.

Taken out of context, a quip or joke that would be clear if delivered in person or using verbal inflection can sound downright menacing. This type of miscommunication has been at the heart of innumerable arguments, estrangements, and even criminal charges.

If You Have Been Misunderstood

If you have found yourself in legal trouble because of a disconnect that took place over text, call attorney Joseph D. Lento and his team at the Lento Law Firm. They'll listen, make certain to understand the entire situation, and develop a defense intended to straighten out all the crossed wires and clear your name.

Representatives are standing by, ready to receive your call and hear about your case. Contact the Lento Law Firm at 1-888-535-3686 today.