Isn't texting a technological step backwards that is ruining lives?

It's not a technological step backwards but I get your point. Maybe it's a sociological step backwards, not to mention how dangerous it is to text and drive. I have friends who are addicted to it and send/receive 200 texts a day, you can't even have a conversation with them without them relentlessly reading and sending text messages. You can abuse anything if your inclined to do so.