Teens and Cell Phones

So what’s the deal with teens and our cell phones? They’re like an essential body part—we feel incomplete without them. Cell phones are our connection to friends and family out of the country, out of state, even right next to us. They’re a fast social networking device that helps us stay connected to others so that they’re never more than a call or text away. Since I don’t drive yet, one of the biggest reasons I always have my cell phone by my side is the convenience factor. Knowing that the person will get my text a mere 30 or so seconds after I send it is reassuring.

The fast communication a cell phone allows us to have is the answer to the question “Why are they always on?” We can’t bear the thought of a friend having the latest gossip to share and not hearing about right this minute! Just like doctors, teenagers always need to be “on call,” reachable anytime. Cell phones also come in really handy when we need to be picked up when out with our friends, or in case of an emergency. Having Mom, Dad or an older sibling just a push of a button away is key. And if our go-to people are not picking up when we’re in a crunch, we can just go into that contact list of 100-plus people; we’re bound to find someone who can give us a lift.

So, we’ve established that cell phones come in handy for many different reasons and that they’re super-convenient. But how much is too much?

Well, if you have turned into a texter at the dinner table, say, “Hold on, I’m on the phone” more than twice a day, talk on your phone more than to the person sitting across from you or disturb those around you at the movies because you can’t put your phone down for two hours—well, I hate to break it to you, but you have crossed the “too much” line. If you find yourself talking to the people on your phone more than the people who are physically with you, then I think it’s time for a little “cell vacation.”

Really, the latest piece of gossip can wait until after that rare family dinner where everyone is actually present. You wanted to see this movie, right? Then try actually watching it! You’ll be seeing your friend in less than two hours—I think you’ll survive.

The bottom line is, if your cell phone is getting in the way of what you’re doing in your actual life, you may need to put it back in your purse. Our whole society is guilty of crossing the “too much” line at one point or another. With a little help from the older generation, we may be able to reduce our use of these little pieces of addiction and let go a bit.