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In my previous blog Death By Text, I discussed the implications and dangers of teen's texting and driving. During my research, I became amazed at just how much teens are texting. Did you know that at the rate it's going, texting will becoming a major, if not primary source of communication for teens?
This abbreviated form of socialization is beginning to cause major distractions not only on the road but also in everyday tasks, such as walking. In fact, texting is becoming such a distraction that it's creeping into the schools, the mall, the library, the movies; you name the location and you'll probably catch a teen texting.
Over the course of the past two weeks, or since I started thinking about this blog, I began to observe where people, specifically teens are texting. I was shocked at how many places it was happening. Here are my own personal observations:
1. Church - during the sermon.
2. In the mall while walking with friends.
3. At the checkout counter in the grocery store (put the phone down and unload your buggy please or kindly step to the side to do your business). Okay this was an adult, but since it happened right in front of me I thought it was worth mentioning.
4. In the car (while driving and at red lights).
5. At school during the school day. Okay parents fess up, are you guilty of texting your kid during school hours to relay a message? Great way to communicate, but odds are they're checking it during class.
6. This last one takes the cake. At the Nail Salon, I actually witnessed a young nail technician take out his phone and reply to a text while working with a customer! So much customer service...
On a national level, texting while doing other tasks has received a lot of attention. In the source section below, there are a couple of great links and videos that show just how difficult it is to text and walk. These clips will show people walking into poles, fountains, man holes and the list goes on and on. The dangers associated with texting and walking has become such an epidemic that two states, Arkansas and New York are looking at banning it!
So, just how much time do teens spend texting? According to a study done by Pew Internet and America Life Project, more than 75% of today's teen's have a cell phone, that's up 45% from 2004. About 88% of all teen cell phone users are texters. That's a big jump from 2006 when only 51% reported being texters. I believe the future will only see these statistics continue to increase.
More than half of teen texters report texting on a daily basis. In fact, 1 in 3 teens report sending more than 100 messages per day (that's about 3,000 texts a month). About 15% of teen texters report to sending more than 200 texts a day or 6,000 texts a month! Some of these teens admitted to sleeping with their phone under their pillow so it will vibrate at night when they get a text. So much for being off the phone by 9:00 on a school night; that phone is literally attached to them 24/7.
How much does your teen text??? I challenge you to do your own observational study. Over the next couple of weeks, pay special attention to when and where you and your family members are texting. Also, keep an eye out for other texters. You may be amazed at what you find. As you're doing this, use the opportunity to discuss appropriate and inappropriate times to text with your teen. Make sure your following the rules too! If you haven't already, I encourage you to read my previous blog "Death by Text" it may help you understand the danger of teens driving and texting.
While the purpose of this blog is not to keep teens from texting, it is to encourage them to text responsibly and be mindful of when and where they're texting.
Stay tuned for an upcoming Blog on the growing concern of "Teen Sexting"
Sources:
Pew Research Center Publications:
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1572/teens-cell-phones-text-messages
Watch These Videos!!!
CNN report on the hazards of texting while doing other things.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/15/texting-accidents-running_n_232672.html
Woman walks into fountain when texting and walking.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/20/earlyshow/main7265096.shtml
