Cell Phones and Risky Behavior
June 21, 2008 – 5:48 pmThese days it’s tough to find a person who doesn’t carry a cell phone. Cell phones have become an essential part of our day to day lives. Even young children are given their own cell phone. Parents are given a sense of security knowing that their kids always have a way to contact them in case of any trouble. But recent studies suggest that carrying a cell phone actually increases risky behavior, especially in teens and college kids.
The research showed that teens, teen girls in particular, who carry cell phones are more likely to take risks that they normally would not take. Teens are more likely to walk alone at night or travel to places they otherwise wouldn’t when they are carrying a cell phone. The reason for this trend is that kids feel safer when they have a phone on hand. They might tell themselves that if they get into trouble, they can call for help and everything will be all right. However, there is no evidence that this is true.
Cell phones are important for kids to have on hand, especially when they begin driving. If kids get lost on the road, run out of gas or get in an accident, cell phones are lifesavers. They provide a way out for kids who get into uncomfortable situations at a party or a friend’s house, and make your daily routine a lot easier. But there is no reason for us to believe that a cell phone makes you any safer when walking alone after dark, or that they make reckless behavior any safer.
Cell phones can actually make kids less safe if they are not being used responsibly. Chatting on a phone while driving is a widely recognized hazard, but doing so while walking or crossing the street causes a dangerous distraction that can lead to injury. A teen walking alone at night might pick up her phone to hear a comforting voice, but this act will prevent her from being fully aware of her surroundings.
It’s important that parents don’t use cell phones as an excuse to let their kids engage in activities they wouldn’t normally allow, like staying out a few hours later than usual. The same risks are still present even if your teen does have a way to contact you in case of an emergency. Talk to your kids about cell phone safety. Make sure they know to never answer a phone call when they’re driving. This is especially important for beginning drivers. Cell phones should never be an excuse to take unnecessary risks.