Teens and Cell Phones: A Bad Combo?
By: Christopher Perez
It is everywhere. The one thing that teens have in their hand: their cell phone. But, are teens using them too much? Teens need to get off the screen, and go outside, before society falls with personal encounters.
Too Much Screen Time?
The average teen spends almost 7 1/2 hours consuming media. This includes video games, social media, messaging, and music. Society is becoming more and more advanced, and it is becoming more and more mobile. 75% of all teenagers have a cell phone, and most of those teens spend their time on media. A study has shown that some teens became uncomfortable meeting new people face to face, when being used to talking behind a screen. Teens have phones on them all the time, even to bed. 4/5 of all teens with cell phones sleep with. A few have them as an alarm clock, but most stay up late to chat with friends. This causes sleep deprivation, and can make kids fall behind academically.
The Outside World Should Be Explored Outside
Teens should be able to communicate in other ways, not by messaging. The average teen sends 100 messages a day, and 54% of all teens communicate by messaging. Only 13% of all teens now meet new people face to face. Teens choose to be inside, than playing outside. The average high school teen only spends less than half an hour every weekday outside. The average time that a physically active teen spends is 2.5 hours a day, and these teens have shown to live healthier lifestyles.
Parents Also Pry Eyes Away From Screens
Parents have also taken action against cell phones. 65% of all parents check content on their teens phones. This includes messages, posts, ETC. 64% of parents also punish their teens by taking away their phones. Ironically, after this happens, teens seemed to have become more social and active after they were deprived of their phones.
What Now?
The cell phone is an amazing tool to use, but teens must know when too much is too much. Teens need to be outside, exploring the world for themselves. Sure, it's very easy to pickup your device, and to chat, but a special experience is a personal one.
Sources
Bibliography
"Teens Are Spending More Time Consuming Media, on Mobile Devices."Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 12 June 2015.
"Teens and Mobile Phones." Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. N.p., 19 Apr. 2010. Web. 12 June 2015.
"Active, Outdoor Teens Are Happier Teens: Study." Consumer HealthDay.N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2015.
MBA, Maureen Healy MA. "Adolescence / Blog." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 12 June 2015.