Does hyper-texting (sending more than 120 texts a day) or hyper-networking (spending more than three hours a day on social networking sites) lead to cigarettes, binge drinking, and risky behavior in teenagers?
Apparently some want us to think so. A survey of 4000+ students in one Midwestern county found that those who either hyper-texted or hyper-networked had higher levels of sex
ual activity, sex partners, perceived stress, suicidal thoughts, alcohol use, binge drinking, tobacco use, and marijuana use. They were also more likely to be obese, demonstrate eating disorders, and miss school due to illness. And, parents, these students think you are more permissive.
What this report to the American Public Health Association does not tell us is why there is a correlation between texting/networking and risky behavior. These are the syllogisms my mother warned me about: (a) many kids hyper-text; (b) many of these same kids also are obese drug users; therefore, (c) students who hyper-text will turn into overweight marijuana smokers.
Let me offer you my totally uninformed, unresearched thought on the subject. I would venture that a lot of students who spend hours on Facebook or texting are missing an important element in relationships. Yes, they are interacting with people via texting/Facebook, but they are missing an element. It can be more distant. I’m interacting with people, but I am still alienated from them!
We were built and wired by God for relationships (Gen. 2:18). Without regular face time and, conversation in the same room, I could see how a person might turn to depression, suicidal thoughts, illness, or engaging in risky behavior as a coping mechanism.
You don’t need to cancel the texting on your teenager’s cell phone account. All I ask is that we engage in a lot of face-to-face time.
What connection do you see betwee your teenager’s use of texting and social networking and his or her attitudes and behavior?
Pingback: Texting and Risky Behavior | Catalyst Students