Teenagers use text messaging more than any other mode of communication. A new study indicated that girls text on average 100 times a day, while boys text about 60 times a day. The study showed that for girls, compulsive texting was associated with lower academic grades.
For both sexes, this new habit shares alot in common with compulsive gambling: losing sleep, problems cutting back and lying to cover up the amount of time spent texting.
Three-quarters of teenagers own a mobile phone and 63% say they text every day.
One of my dental patients, Ms. Bonnie Bright, has written a new children’s book to help parents and kids approach and discuss the issue.
The picture book is called, “Cellphoneitus“. It describes in colorful, cartoon fashion a young boy’s use of his first cell phone. The boy tunes out the world around him, along with his friends and his usual activities. His mom remedies the situation with a phone-free camping trip and new rules for the use of his phone.
The son learns the valuable lesson that Life Always Comes First.
It is a great book to use with your grade school or high school kids that are getting their first cell phone and to open up discussions and rules about cell phone use.
We have a copy of the book at the dental office and you can get your own copy at www.brightillustration.com .
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