How Dangerous is Texting Really?
Sunday May 31, 2009
Apparently, it's pretty dangerous for your teen's health.
I thought it was only my stepdaughter, but a recent article suggests that texting is having an impact on teen's sleep and functioning. The average teen sends and receives over 2000 text messages a month. This over-the-top messaging is leading to some serious problems.
One problem we have had is that our daughter would stay up late and text her friends. This was only a newly discovered phenomenon when she blearily came down the steps one morning saying she didn't feel well. I suspected it was because she was tired, but couldn't be sure. Coincidentally her father was home from work that day. He discovered she wasn't sick, but she was definitely tired and we are fairly certain it was because she was up late texting. We are going to have to find out how to handle this issue next school year - most likely by telling her that she has to give up her phone at night until she can prove she can be more responsible about texting.
The article also mentions that repetitive stress injuries from the action of typing can happen. Teens who text excessively are also too distracted in school to learn and are more anxious. These are some significant consequences for what seems like harmless behavior. Parents have two great options that can be used together to curb this problem. One option is to limit texting - limit texting time or limit the number of texts your teen can have. The second option is to limit your own texting. Kids (although they won't admit it) often emulate their parents. Get off your Blackberry and set a good example!
I thought it was only my stepdaughter, but a recent article suggests that texting is having an impact on teen's sleep and functioning. The average teen sends and receives over 2000 text messages a month. This over-the-top messaging is leading to some serious problems.
One problem we have had is that our daughter would stay up late and text her friends. This was only a newly discovered phenomenon when she blearily came down the steps one morning saying she didn't feel well. I suspected it was because she was tired, but couldn't be sure. Coincidentally her father was home from work that day. He discovered she wasn't sick, but she was definitely tired and we are fairly certain it was because she was up late texting. We are going to have to find out how to handle this issue next school year - most likely by telling her that she has to give up her phone at night until she can prove she can be more responsible about texting.
The article also mentions that repetitive stress injuries from the action of typing can happen. Teens who text excessively are also too distracted in school to learn and are more anxious. These are some significant consequences for what seems like harmless behavior. Parents have two great options that can be used together to curb this problem. One option is to limit texting - limit texting time or limit the number of texts your teen can have. The second option is to limit your own texting. Kids (although they won't admit it) often emulate their parents. Get off your Blackberry and set a good example!
Comments
Getting the kids to get enough sleep is really important, but very difficult. I think limiting late night access to tv, internet and phones are necessary first steps.
We went through an episode with our teenage daughter whose texting habits got out of control. Her grades dropped, her attention span was that of a gnat’s and she was quite moody from being tired after texting through most of the night. We realized that the unlimited texting plan we got her (to save ourselves money) was part of the problem.
To make a long story short, we put her on a NET10 prepaid plan with limited minutes. That way we could stay in touch without the texting becoming a problem. She can buy more minutes if she runs out but then it comes out of her allowance.