Good News about Teens and Cell Phone Use

Many parents have grave concerns about their children and cell phone usage. Naturally, they should worry. After all, the teen sits at the dinner table, but they're staring at their phone. It seems they're always looking at their phones! Could the child be addicted to their phone?

Your teen could using their cell phone as a bullet against peer pressure and drug use.

Maybe. 95% of teens have access to a cell phone, and between 40 (boys) and 50 (girls) percent of all teens admit to a near-constant relationship with their cell phone.

New theory

But, researchers at Harvard Medical School have an interesting theory, which involves teens and the spiral of drug use among them. This spiral, which has continued for several decades, is not rising-- it's falling. That's right; drug use among teens is way down. Scientists surmise there are several reasons for this spiral.

First, parenting is a much more involved process than it ever has been. Parenting now has many more demands than in previous decades, thanks to requirements for parental involvement by schools and other institutions. Even teens with cell phones find their parents much harder to ignore with programs like, “Find a Friend”, that excellent little app that allows parents to know the whereabouts of their teen, day or night.

Safer outlet

But the other theory is that by having a cell phone, a teen has the means to socialize, recharge, relax, and entertain himself without the use of drugs. His need for excitement has already been satisfied. He can beat an easy retreat from uncomfortable social situations by burying his attention into his phone. So, the same behavior which parents hate can protect a child from peer pressure.

All drugs?

Interestingly enough, marijuana use didn't spiral downward in the same manner as methamphetamines, crack, cocaine, narcotics, and even alcohol. Teens still enjoy marijuana, which hasn't wavered in popularity despite the downward trend of virtually all other drug and alcohol use.

For the parent who throws up their hands at their teen's cell phone attention, these drug statistics are a bright spot. You're probably doing a fine job as a parent, even if your kid is paying more attention to Tiny Wings than he is to your admonition to empty the dishwasher.

Check yourself

For parents of kids who lose sleep, check their cell phone impulsively, engage in hazardous cell phone use such as texting while driving, a frank discussion might be in order. Talk to your teen about their cell phone usage. Also, check yourself. Are you or other adults in the household ignoring the teen because you're looking at your phone frequently? Heads up! Your teen may be following your example. They may want to be more like you than you want them to be.

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