Phone companies must allow texting new ‘988’ suicide line
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By TALI ARBEL
AP Technology Writer
U.S. communications regulators are requiring that phone companies allow people to text as well as call a new “988” number for the suicide-prevention hotline. The Federal Communications Commission last summer voted to require phone companies support the 988 number for people to call to reach an existing suicide-prevention hotline. Recognizing that texting is critical to Americans, particularly young people and those who are deaf, have hearing loss or speech disabilities, the commission on Thursday voted 4-0 to require a texting option as well. Phone companies have until July 2022 to implement the 988 number for both calling and texting.