http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/health/26teen.html?scp=1&sq=Texting%20May%20Be%20Taking%20A%20Toll&st=cse
Texting is a worldwide phenomenon that almost every teen is a part of. Teens sound thousands of text messages each month, meaning they send hundreds every day. It is no surprise that experts are beginning to question the effects of the constant communication as well as the motions. However, texting has not been huge for a long time so any study conducted is difficult because long term effects have not yet been discovered. The experts are constantly reiterating the fact that the texting may have a greater effect on the brain then we teenagers realize.
To me, the article definitely brings up some interesting points but most can not be researched or have not been researched and therefore hold no credibility. Text messages are quick and easy to send, an effortless and effective form of communication. The messaging definitely causes distractions and breaks the attention span of any teenager. Even as I am writing this post, my phone has been beeping as it sits next to me on the desk and I have stopped writing to respond to text messages. The texting may cause a lowering in grades because it is often time consuming but if a student wishes to earn a good grade and has the drive to do so, texting can easily be stopped. It is not something that needs to be dealt with immediately. It is completely controlled by the person doing the texting. I, like most teenagers, put my phone in a separate room or turn it off when studying for a test. The constant beeping and vibrating breaks my concentration but it is a distraction that can be turned off.
The motions of texting are quick, fast, and repetitive. While there have been some texting injuries documented, they are rare and somewhat ridiculous. It is a simple motion and muscles are built the more text messages that are sent. In the article, they mention that the 15 year old Annie experienced some soreness in her thumbs before she switched to the iPhone. However, Annie did not experience any serious injury nor was it a current problem. Saying that texting is responsible for injuries is a little bit far-fetched. If someone is feeling sore, they should probably cut down on the texting.
Texting can cause a lack of sleep, a problem for many teenagers already. The excitement of a phone buzzing and lighting up with incoming messages can cause one to stay up at night. However, it is not texts themselves keeping someone up so if they want to sleep, they could simply turn off their phone. If parents are concerned, they could take the phone before bed. There are many solutions to the problem.
Texting is causing a lack of separation between parents and their children. The relationship between the parents and the children as adolescents can often be rocky. Experts say it is the time for parents to separate themselves for their children so their children can become their own person. Texting can serve as a barrier for children to do so because of the constant communication. On the flip side, texting can also serve as a barrier between parent and child because they often don't speak to their parents as much or spend as much time with the family if they are texting. Texting is a nice, often minimal, way for children to keep in touch with their parents once they are in college because they don't have to have a lengthy phone conversation but can say a few nice words to their parents. While texting can have negative effects, the effects can be controlled easily.
Thanks Abigail. I totally respect the fact that you present both the pros and the cons of text-messaging. I find each of your paragraphs to be equally insightful. You start by very correctly explaining that no one can know the real effects of text-messaging just yet; it hasn’t been around long enough. Very true, but also a little scary. You then explain what I consider the most unfortunate part of text-messaging. It’s just a distraction. Even I spend too much time, texting, emailing, and surfing, when I should be working and responding to your posts. Although I’m not sure about your tone in the paragraph about texting injuries, I like it. Were you trying to be funny? Regardless, it’s interesting, especially the part about the relationship between texting and sleep deprivation. So true, and so sad.
ReplyDeleteI would like to touch upon your last paragraph, where you talk about the relationship between parents and children with texting. I agree witht you that it has changed, but I don't think it is for the worse. You at first say that texting keeps children from being able to grow up because they are in constant communication with their parents. Then, you say that it is a barrier between them because they never actually talk with them. Rather than point these out as opposites, I feel it would make more sense if you looked at these two comments together. There is a lot of talking going on between children (teens) and their parents, but their is no real communication happening. It's true, it will be nice to have in college because it will eliminate the need for there to be those long, awkward conversations when you'd much rather be doing something else. However, I think a lot of teens are doing this now, in high school. Need a ride? text your parents. Forgot something at home? Text your parents. While this is helpful to the teens, I'm sure the parents would disagree. Parents, then, need to be proactive and keep the lines of communication open, not just the texting lines, and they need to know where to draw the line. In this way, the teens can still grow up, but they have a real relationship with their parents, not just a digital one. And doesn't just boil down to how everyone has ever grown up? By testing their parents limits and rules? Nowadays, the rules have just been slightly modified to fit with the more modern technology, and while the teens have already made themselves masters of the texting game, it is now time for the parents to get in on the game, and update their parenting styles for raising a 21st century teen.
ReplyDeleteI would like to say something about your last paragraph. You say that it prevents children form growing up because of the constant communication with your parents. In my family, it would take my parents 10 minutes to say hi via text. I rarely receive texts from my parents during school. I do not know if this means I am growing up faster than anyone else is but I will say that it gives me the responsibility to remember I have a doctor’s appointment after school and I need to get right home. It makes me remember everything in the morning because once I am in school I cannot ask my parents to drop something off for me. It puts the responsibility on me to find rides to my games or practice if I forgot to ask my parents before school. In general, it does make me more independent because my mom is not there to constantly remind me of everything happening in my life.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing you talked about is how it creates a barrier between parents and family. I agree with you. Some people sit and text in the corner of the room ignoring everyone around them. Texting can completely envelop people so they ignore what is happening. My parents are against texting and only include it in our phone plan because my brother and I pay for it. Even when we are texting in our room and they see us, they tell us not to text. If I ever tried to send a text during dinner or at a family event, my phone would be gone for a week. I do not mind this though. If I am completely dedicated to my phone all night, I could miss some of the long lasting memories that occur.
Kitty, your comments are interesting. I hadn’t really considered how “texting” affects the parent/child relationship. Does “texting” prevent a “real” relationship? Your conclusion does confuse me. Do you contradict yourself? Parents need to know “where to draw the line,” but they must also “get in on the game”? Sam, thanks for giving me some hope for the future! I’m glad your parents enforce some “texting” etiquette in your house. As convenient as “texting” can be, it really can stifle some important relationships, as Kitty points out.
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