If the U.S. government enforced strict sanctions on text messages I’m fairly certain that the world as we know it would fall into complete chaos. Well, not literal chaos, but I mean, so many of us use text messages to communicate. We’ve pretty much passed the point where we probably couldn’t imagine our lives without it. The great thing about text messages is that it gives cell phone users the ability to communicate in public but still be able to have a private conversation, whether it be a lovebird couple flirting, fighting, or telling mom you’ll be home late.

The power of the unlimited text message services gives texters the ability to say whatever to who ever for relatively cheap. It really is the next best thing to being telepathic.

However, in places like the Henan province in China, officials are considering handing out jail sentences to texters who send out “unwanted erotic text messages”.

Offenders of the law who have sent three messages could face up to 10 days in jail with a fine of $73.

Members of the Communist Party were quoted in saying that the “obscene information not only harms the people’s soul but harms the people’s morality as well”.

There’s a lot of thing that I think would severely damage my morality: murder, theft, adultery maybe – but sending erotic text messages? I don’t think that would land in the top five of things I may have done, and would get my life’s actions are put on trial in the afterlife.

The country of China hasn’t had too much luck growing accustomed to the popular wave of techno-savvy-ness among their citizens, especially in terms of the Internet.

Earlier this month Chinese officials investigated the death of a fifteen-year-old who died at a camp that treats Internet addiction. The camp is apparently a reaction from the government due to the high numbers of Internet addiction among teens.

What the U.S. sees as the next generation of technology savvy young people, China seems to see as a severe problem that requires literal boot camps with very unfortunate results.

The way the Internet and technology is expanding at such a rapid rate these days I don’t see how any government can restrict its citizens from using all forms of technology in any way they choose. Maybe teens do spend too much time on the Internet but I don’t think boots camps are the way to counteract that, if anything it would just make me want to do it more.

I personally think it is better to embrace these sorts of changes. I realize that new technology is a scary thing to get used to, but in reality I think it makes us able to relate to each other a little better.

—Eming Piansay