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Negative Influences Hidden Dangers

The advent of novel, popular ideas and technologies ushers in a new wave of change. Lifestyles are altered, routines and tasks optimized, and behaviors changed. However, change is not always a good thing, and technologies are generally acompanied by questionable ramifications. The cell phone is no exception. The cell phone tends to give rise to inappropriate behaviors in adolescents and these behaviors should be prevented.

 "With great power comes great responsibility."


The famous quote from the 2002 Spiderman animated series said it best.  Indeed, the cell phone is not only a powerful device, but also an empowering technology. At the tip of your children's fingers could be a handy tool that can save a life, and also a harmful weapon that puts them and those around them at risk. Sadly, not all teenagers use their mobile phones responsibly. These misuses not only go against etiquette conventions, but can also be illegal. At such a tender age, teens need proper guidance to use such a nuanced device. That's where you come in. With the knowledge of how some teens are misusing their mobile phones, you can prevent your own teen from doing the same.

How some teens are misusing their phones:

  • Misuse in the classroom
    • Cheating in class- Using the phone during tests to garner answers
    • Classroom disruptions- Having a phone ring in the middle of class
  • Sexual Exposure
    • Voyeurism- Using the camera to take inappropriate pictures of other people
    • "Sexting"-sending sexual messages or photos to others
  • Physical and Psychological dangers
    • Answering strange phone calls-Answering phone calls from strangers
    • Teen Driving with the cell phone-Driving while distracted by a phone call
    • "Happy Slapping"-recording violent behavior
    • Phone Bullying- sending disturbing, abusive messages to others
What causes these behaviors?

The cell phones of today are unlike their previous call-only prototypes. Cell phone manufacturers have piled on feature after feature and service after service. Simultaneously, phones are getting smaller and more mobile, prompting the media to declare that "thin is in." All of these features can be overwhelming, and cramming them into a device that is getting smaller by the model engenders opportunities for using a feature against its intended purpose.

Now of course, these behaviors are not exclusive to teenagers. But the teenage years are marked by experimentation and an attitude of "testing the boundaries." Without a mature worldview, they are less likely to employ proper judgment and would therefore need guidance.


 "What motivates these behaviors is not just the ‘perversity’ of youth. The medium itself ‘perverts’ its users by giving them the ability to store and then replay (in the most literal sense of the word) these events, either in private or amongst friends." -Sergio Rizzo, The Promise of Cell Phones

Regarding the perverse use of phones, Professor Rizzo suggests that the phone itself--and its features--is somewhat to blame for these behaviors.


What Can Be Done?

No complete guide would omit solutions to dealing with these negative behaviors. The two most effective suggestions to solving this dilemma is active parental talks and prudent decision-making. In Solutions and Suggestions, you can find detailed techniques to help reach out to them. In our Buying Advice section, you can see what teen-friendly devices and plans are out there to remedy these issues.

The importance of preventing these behaviors is simple: Not only will the teen individual understand the wrong uses of the phone, but also these instruction on ettiquette will help him or her operate in society.
Subpages (3): Classroom Misuse Physical and Psychological Dangers Sexual Exposure