UK here.

Business yes. Personal communication technically possible. Personal would be really frustrating and limiting as most people would expect a more rich messaging experience than SMS allows (photos, videos, voice notes etc).

Things they considered morally fine (smoking, dropping litter, 40 year olds dating 16 year olds) is morally reprehensible, while things they thought were morally wrong or even outlawed are totally acceptable (homosexually, porn, divorce).