I actually hate chatspeak.
It's rather childish and immature for anyone to use it!
Lol and Brb is fine, especially when you're in a hurry or you think typing "Hahaha" is weird.
But the whole u 2 8 h8 is ridiculous.
People need to spell every word out more often because for 1; It's easier to read. 2; It uses your spelling and typing skills. And 3; It's not as irritating. ><

For me, If anyone who speaks, types in Chat speak are a complete waste of time in my book.
There would be no way that I would take you seriously.
Or in your language srsly.

the only chatspeak i like are the acronyms.

like:
lol
lulz
brb
omg

but i dont like the
"I H8 u" kind of chatspeak

I can understand why people use chat speak on
cell-phones, if you are in hurry or whatnot.
But, on computers, its just laziness.

Around this time last year, the government (I live in
New Zealand) were thinking about allowing
chat-speak, or text language (whatever floats your boat) to be used in English exams. I mean, doesn’t it contradict itself? Text speak is not a form of English. So what is the point of using it in English exams?

Besides, it would take forever for the marker to try and decipher everyones’ text speak >.>

Because people are lazy and don't feel like typing out the entire word when there is an acronym that is generally understood for what they are trying to say.

On the computer I don't see much use for it though unless I really have to leave the computer fast for an emergency. I like to type out all my words usually because I'm not always sure how many of the acronyms the person I'm talking to understands (I know I don't know many myself), also people seem to judge you as being stupid if you use them a lot.

However there's also using chat speak in text messages on the phone, there's a limit to how many character you can send in one message (at least with my phone) so I tend to abbreviate where I can if its going to be a long message (like "I'm going to be home late, have lecture tonight" would be "b home l8, lecture"). That also helps out if it needs to be a quick message between classes.