Are Teens Addicted to Cell Phones?

Oh yeah what a topic! As the mother of a 15-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son this topic is definitely a hot one. Growing up in the type of world that we live in now, I can't imagine how my parents ever survived without keeping in touch with me. I had the freedom to leave the house and return many hours later, during which time my parents had no idea where I was or who I was with. Both of my children have cell phones, mind you these were gotten so that I knew where they were and whom they were with.

Now, as time has gone on this has turned into something much more. Cell phone uses as well as numerous web sites have caused the teens of today to become addicted, or what I feel is somewhat obsessed with the use or viewing of them. Somehow, I connect the two of these issues together, but that could be just me. My daughter does not seem to communicate anymore. She will sit and wait for a text with an answer from someone rather than just call the person and talk. I find this very disturbing because the teens do not seem to be able to communicate anymore without the use of text messaging, which I also personally feel is the biggest cell phone aspect of addiction. Walking out the door without the cell phone in her pocket would probably cause my teen to have a complete meltdown.

Some of the phones of today now even offer more options, such as being able to get on the web and uploading options to facebook or other sites. Like some addictions such as smoking and drugs, cell phones have been added to this list. This is quite scary as a parent. I want to be able to keep in touch with my child when they are not home, yet I fear for the future of having a world with people who cannot talk to anyone. Forward years into the future at a job and your boss asks you a question what will the response be "wait let me get to my office and I will text you what I think?" My children have sent me a text message from the next room! Hello, I am within hearing distance! Are you kidding me? Setting limits and being able to adhere to them I believe is the only compromise with cell phones. As you walk around today, wherever you seem to go, there isn't a teen walking without a phone attached to their ear or fingers busy moving sending a text message.

Now, to be fair many adults, including myself at times, yeah I like text messages and using my cell phone at times too, we are in a world of addiction to cell phones, but where will this lead? What with our world be like in 10 years when these addicted teens are grown up? What can we do to change this? Somehow, I don't believe it will change as I believe that the addiction is too world wide at this point. So, what is the answer? I guess we will all find out as time moves on.