A recent survey revealed that four out of five teenagers currently have a cell phone. With many advantages of cell phones, the dangers are rarely considered. Parents can use this article to become aware of some of the dangers to cell phone use.
Video Phones Used Inappropriately
Many of today's cell phones have both a camera and video feature. A current trend for teens is to take inappropriate pictures of themselves or others. Examples include teens posing in provocative positions wearing little to no clothing. A recent article outlined the case of a teen who was charged with child pornography because they had such a picture on their cell phone. Parents may deny that their teen would have such photos, but photos are commonly shared among cell phone users.
Teens Post Negative Images Online
Another trend with teens is to use their phones to videotape fights, access the internet from the phone, and upload the fight to popular online video sites. Teens will text one another with the fight's website to view. Other videos are also being uploaded from teen cell phones. Any life moment can be caught on cell phone video and posted online without anyone's permission. Think locker rooms, bathrooms, and other vulnerable moments. Literally, every situation can be caught on tape and instantly posted online.
Cheating on Tests
While cheating on tests in school has always been apparent, today's teens are utilizing technology to encourage cheating. Many teens have memorized the text buttons on their cell phones and do not need to actually look at the phone to text. Students will take out their phones and while taking a test/quiz, they will enter the answers in their phones and text to friends.
Teens, Texting and Driving
Driving is a rite of passage for most teens. Because most teens are glued to their cell phones, many teen drivers attempt to drive and text/talk on their cell phone at the same time. Teens feel that they are able to text without looking at the phone; therefore, they can also drive. The problem is that the phone is a distraction to the prime focus of actually driving.
Online Bullying Using Cell Phones
For years teens have experienced bullying and harassment issues. Today's technology heightens the situation. Bullies can now text offensive language to other teens' phones and/or send vulgar pictures to victims' phones.
Keeping Teens Safe
Some professionals will contend that cell phones are a part of a teen's private life. Given the dangers outlined previously, parents need to look beyond that argument and ensure their teen is safe.
- Check both the photo album and video storage on the phone periodically for inappropriate content.
- Ensure that teens are not using the phone while they drive by checking their phone log to see if they used the phone during the driving period.
- Limit the number of outgoing text messages for the teen's phone.
- Create ground rules to the cell phone usage. Include parameters for the video, text, and camera components.
- Contact the cell phone provider to find out about current parental features to monitor and track cell phone usage.
Overall, providing teens with expectations to appropriate cell use is a must for parents. Today's cell phones have features that can be used inappropriately and do more harm than good. Be open with teens about the proper use of cell phones. Teens need boundaries even with cell phone use. Outline appropriate and inappropriate uses of cell phones. This knowledge may limit teens from experiencing some of the outlined dangers of cell phone use.
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