Abstract
Youth have access to and utilize various types of technology at a growing rate. Cell phones are a portable way for adolescents to remain in constant contact with friends, parents, and others. While White youth are more likely to have a cell phone compared to Latino youth, the trends for cell phone use are similar among all teens with text messaging serving as the most popular means of communication. Despite their high volume of communication with others via cell phones, adolescents are likely to have little or no adult supervision while using technology. With a lack of parental supervision or awareness regarding youth technology use, adolescents may be especially vulnerable to cyberbullying and other negative health impacts. The current study investigates cell phone and texting use among a community sample of Latino adolescents and examines how parental rules regarding cell phone use influences adolescents’ cell phone and texting behaviors.
Highlights
Youth have access to and utilize various types of technology including computers, the internet, and cell phones at a growing rate
While White youth are more likely to have a cell phone compared to Latino youth (81% versus 63%), the trends for cell phone use are similar among all teens with text messaging serving as the most popular means of communication followed by cell calling (Lenhart, Ling, Campbell, & Purcell, 2010)
The purpose of this study was to investigate the existence of parental rules about cell phone and text messaging among a low income sample of ethnic minority adolescents
Summary
Youth have access to and utilize various types of technology including computers, the internet, and cell phones at a growing rate. Some youth proved to be prolific communicators, with 44% reporting sending 50 or more text messages a day (Lenhart, et al, 2010). Despite their high volume of communication with others via cell phone and text messages, adolescents are likely to have little or no adult supervision while using technology (Donahue, Haskins, & Nightingale, 2008; Weisskirch, 2011; Weisskirch, 2009). With a lack of parental supervision or awareness regarding youth technology use, adolescents may be especially vulnerable to cyberbullying and other technology-related negative health impacts. We investigate parental rules regarding cell phone use and how these rules relate to adolescents’ cell phone and texting behaviors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
