Text message abbreviations are mostly used in messaging apps on mobile devices, that is on devices where you only have access to an onscreen keyboard. WhatsApp is the most popular of these apps, with 95% of all users. Other apps include Telegram, Signal, WeChat, and Skype. Alternatives to Facebook Messenger also have a large market share. Apple iMesssage, which comes preinstalled on iPhones, is another popular app for messaging.
In general, the morepersonal the communication and the better you know your chat partner, the more appropriate it is to use chat abbreviations. Abbreviations should not be used as part of business communications. Text message abbreviations were originally developed by younger users, both to set themselves apart from others and to keep the pace of communication fast. Grammar and spelling take a backseat to speed and readability. Due to the widespread use of smartphones, texting acronyms are now also known among older users. Chat slang has even found its way into spoken language. The advertising industry uses messaging apps and text message abbreviations to reach defined target groups.