GMRS is a fee for license service ($35) and the license is good for 10 tears, covers the 'family'
The radio comms can be monitored by any kind of scanner or UHF/FM radio.
So, for low-probability-of-intercept (PoI) communications, you can use text messaging. Perfectly legal.
Rhino has had this for years, mostly for a GPS check/check back.
Now BTECh (Baofeng) offer a radio with native texting built in!
BTech GMRS Pro Review - Data Over GMRS, Bluetooth, GPS, & Compass! Full Review & Power Test (youtube.com) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkk5hY3hM2k)
and
Operator Series: GMRS-PRO Send messages without phones | Offgrid Technology (youtube.com) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV9AdBQ9N48)
klunky, but it works.
Or if you have a working cell phone
How To Send Digital Text Messages Over GMRS Or Ham Radio - Texting Digital Messages On GMRS Radios! (youtube.com) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2hQAvhqxNk)
skip ahead to 3:15, the guy making the presentation is IMO a pretentious, world class ahole. But he does do demos on the screen.
Could not agree more with your opinion of a certain Youtuber who isn't a Rubicon.