Your teen is texting more than you thought. Way more.
Data released by the Nielsen Company shows that American teenagers sent and received an average
of 2,272 text messages per month during the 4th quarter of 2008. That translates into nearly 80 text messages
per day. The number doubles the average for the same time last year.
Doctors interviewed by the New York Times fear that the increased usage is leading to, among other things, anxiety and sleep deprivation. One pediatrician, who surveyed students at 2 high schools, found that many were sending as many as 200 texts a day.
"That's one every few minutes," said Dr. Martin Joffe of Greenbrae, California. "Then you hear that these kids are responding to texts late at night. That's going to cause sleep issues in an age group that's already plagued with sleep issues."
Doctors and psychologists are also seeing more distraction in school issues, falling grades, and repetitive stress injuries.
