Shoutbox

I think it depends on the person. If you are still willing to get out, enjoy your interests, see friends in person, then there is nothing wrong with talking on the computer as well.

As for the spelling, at school I did a subject where our typing speed was constantly tested. After holidays of lots of MSN I kept on using things like "2" and "ur" at the beginning. It didn't take long to get over it and in the end I was a faster typist from it. My grammar in speech was not affected as I type the same way as I talk (with different, shortened spelling often).

I think instant messaging is only bad to those who rely on it and push away their real life friends for their computer.