Pew found that the number of teens with cell phones has risen to 77%, closing in on the 88% of adults who have cell phones.   More teens send text messages daily (38%) than talk on their cell phones daily (36%).  If you are around teens regularly these numbers will not be a surprise to you.

These numbers reinforce the importance of teaching teens to use cell phones in a responsible and safe manner.  Probably the most important thing we can do as adults is model good behavior and teach the dangers of driving while talking on the phone, or worse yet, texting.    Researchers from the Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters and the Eastern Virginia Medical School recently conducted a study to see the impact on teens of driving while talking on the phone or texting.  Donald Lewis M.D., co-researcher, called the results frightening.  Teens drove erratically and ran over virtual pedestrians.

According to a recent study by the American Automobile Association, the risk of a car accident increases by 50% for people who text message while driving.

It is time we made this a topic for discussion in our youth groups and Sunday School Classes.