Do text messages count as writing or are they a separate form of communication?

You are totally correct! An evolving form of basic communications. Soon we will be back, irrespective of the galloping pace of technology - actually, BECAUSE of it , to the grunting or whistling or even 'chest thumping' communications of certain species/races on this planet when trying to communicate in person!

'Writing' to me, has nothing really to do with typing - be in on a computor keyboard or a mobile phone etc. 'Writing' is sitting down with paper and pen/pencil and actually, physically, writing! Legibly! There is of course, the other meaning of writing..... being able to use ones imagination/intelligence etc. to produce a novel etc. But we are 'talking' about day to day communication.

This site is a classic example of the enormous deterioration of language. And manners! Native english language speakers cannot spell, cannot use punctuation etc. The use of text messaging abbreviations/creations is making this even worse. Those kids - already virtually illiterate - are thinking that these 'terminologies' are correct English.

It is only going to get worse. Anyone born after around 1980 (being very generous here), are now in the position where they have to learn how to understand their own language as 'spoken' - or am I supposed to say 'spoked or speeked' by the 'younger generations'!

I could keep going, sept raned owda smoks so hafta tak a dryv ta git sum.

actually, texting requires greater thought processes than simple writing or typing. shortening you to u may seem trite, but requires a process in your mind each time you do it to verify it is "right".

also, on some phones, you don't HAVE a keyboard, and have to hit the number buttons a certain amount of time for each letter. this, too, involves some level of extra thought.

however, texting more than actual writing can also lead to poor grammar IRL, and when you want to communicate with someone who is not used to "text talk", they won't know WTF you are talking about.

now in some cases, this may leave you ROFL. but if it costs you a decent career, you may end up wishing you had just STFU.

KWIM?

if you're asking if your brain counts it as "writing", i would say it is more mentally challenging, so yeah, sure, why not. if you're asking if your English teacher would agree...well, let's just say IDTS.

It doesn't have to be that way. You can spell it out regularly if you want.