According to a recent research, led by Monash University epidemiologist Professor Michael Abramson, predictive texting on mobile phones was bringing about a change in the functioning of children's brains - encouraging them to act impulsively without thinking through a response.

The researchers opined that the mobile phone messaging system has not only propelled youngsters to become more impulsive and less thoughtful, but has also made them increasingly prone to committing mistakes elsewhere in life.

Based on a series of computer tests given to 317 Melbourne high school students, the researchers found that children who used mobile phones frequently - making 15-20 calls or texts per week - though responded faster than their other peers; they also made mistakes in their responses.

The tests given to these children - between 11 and 14 years of age - were aimed at gauging their responses on the basis of speed, accuracy, memory and ability to learn through association.

Cautioning that the repercussions of predictive mobile texting may soon be seen on a whole generation - as most growing children own a handset - Prof Abramson noted: "We suspect that using mobile phones a lot is training children to be fast but inaccurate. Their brains are still developing so if there are effects then potentially it could have effects down the line, especially given that the exposure is now almost universal."