Is danger a strong word? It depends how you view the recent study. When it concerns your teen's health, there could be dangerous risks involved.
A new study shows that teens who "hyper-text" that is, text more than 120 times a day, are far more likely to be sexually active, drink alcohol and do illegal drugs than teens who text less.
According to WebMD, researchers at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine surveyed 4,257 high school students from an urban county in the Midwest, addressing their use of communication technology and various health topics.
Too much texting is linked to unhealthy behaviors such as:
- 40% more likely to have tried cigarettes than youths who spend less time texting
- 43% more likely to be binge drinkers
- 41% more likely to have used illicit drugs
- 55% more likely to have been in a physical fight
- Nearly 3.5 times more likely to have had sex
- 90% more likely to report having had four or more sexual partners.
Of teens surveyed, 11.5% said they spend more than three hours a day on social networking sites.
The researchers say these teens are:
- 62% more likely to have tried cigarettes
- 79% more likely to have tried alcohol
- 69% more likely to be binge drinkers
- 84% more likely to have used illicit drugs
- 94% more likely to have been in a physical fight
- 69% more likely to have had sex
- 60% more likely to report having had four or more sexual partners
The researchers also say that too much texting time and excessive hours on social networks also are linked to obesity, eating disorders, school absenteeism due to illness, lack of adequate sleep, and feelings of being unsafe at school. These teens also are more likely to be stressed and to think about suicide.
Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.
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