With ever growing technology these days, text messaging and emailing seem to be the best way to communicate. But are email and text messaging hurting interpersonal communication skills?

NBC Augusta found one expert who says the answer is “yes.”

Lasharn Thomas said she loves to text.

"I text my daughter all day...all my friends, so I'm doing that all the time," said Thomas.

Thomas isn't the only one. According to a recent survey by Verizon Wireless of Georgians statewide, close to 50 percent of its customers send and receive more than 100 text messages a week.

Rachael Grant is an assistant manager for a Verizon store in Augusta.

Grant said, "The Augusta market alone has had an increase of 514 percent of text messaging."

That increase occurred during the past four years.

Text messaging and emails have become an increasing, modern and fast way of communication. It's not just teens who are hopping on the band wagon.

"In the Georgia market alone, it is said moms use this as a way to communicate with their kids," said Grant.

Because of the increase in text messaging and email, some experts, like Rick Pukis, an Associate Professor of Communications at Augusta State University, say texting could be affecting the way we interact.

“Text messaging has made us a very impersonal society today. They're not communicating, not using any facial expressions, like smiling so when they get back into a situation where they're talking to someone, they don't smile," said Pukis.

It's not just text messaging Pukis is worried about. He says emails are no exception.

"Someone can whip one out in thirty seconds and they're like, 'Ahh, I took care of this, I communicated. You didn't really communicate, you just shot out a one line sentence over to me and didn't really convey any thoughts," said Pukis.

But that's not stopping people from breaking out their cells or typing their thoughts, keeping cell phone companies doing their best to keep up with the supply and demand.

To keep up with that supply and demand, cell phone companies are offering deals for their customers.

For example, Verizon Wireless offers a few plans that include unlimited text messaging.

They're not alone. NBC Augusta looked at Alltel's Web site and they claim their "My Circle Plan" has gotten even better with unlimited text messaging.