WAN2TLK TXT?

The other day, my wife buys an illustrated first dictionary/thesaurus at a used book store. Meant for early elementary school (so we're pushing the kids), it was published in 2002.  In back of the book, as part of the common abbreviations section, there's a list of common text messaging abbreviations.  Is this proof for the pundits who say the texting wave, which my generation missed, must have peaked in the US a few years ago? (If it rates a listing in a dictionary for 6-year olds, it clearly isn't cool for older kids.)  My take is that yet another tool has been integrated into the culture. While the sheen of being the "next big thing" fades fast, useful tools are not abandoned quickly.  Texting has taken its place in the tool bag of the 21st century communicators (and I'll make sure to memorize that page of abbreviations).