Advantages and Disadvantages of SMS

SMS is widely used in society today but what are the advantages and disadvantages of using it?
Modern handsets are now small and easy to transport, this makes sending a text message discrete and almost private. After the evolution of electronic mail it was thought that it was one of the quickest ways to get in contact with another person, but since SMS surfaced it is now used more often and is a lot faster than sending an email. Fun applications such as emoticons and sounds make sending a message fun and more relaxed.
Some people seem to use SMS more than they actually talk to people this can be a negative point, for it can isolate people and make them become more withdrawn. Although sending a text message is much quicker than sending an email, it is a lot faster than making a phone call. If you want to keep in contact with a friend or family member who lives overseas it will always cost more to send an SMS to another country.