Negative Impacts of Mega Texting in Teens

Physical

• When your teen sits hunched over her cell phone, fingers moving rapidly for hours, she could be putting a strain on certain parts of her body. The ergonomics of texting are similar to those of extended computer use, according to Judith Gold, assistant professor of epidemiology at the College of Health Professions and Social Work. Similar to adults who work at a computer all day, teens may wind up with overuse injuries in their backs, shoulders and fingers from texting day after day in the same position.

Communication

• If texting takes the place of face-to-face interactions, teens can suffer negative consequences. Talking via cell phone limits the depth and emotions that a teen can relay during conversations, according to Dr. Steven Tobias, a child psychologist. This can strain relationships because teens aren't able to display and experience a full range of emotions when having a conversation, which makes it hard for teens to deal with anger, disappointment or joy that occurs during a real-life talk. Texting can also interfere with time spent with family because it's distracting and upsetting when teens stop and send a quick text during dinner or a movie with their parents and siblings.

Mental Health

• Texting is another form of social status among teens, according to Allyson Havill, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. Getting texts shows other teens popularity, and a teen who gets lots of texts might be perceived as cooler than her peers. This can interfere with self-esteem because teens might base their texting life on their acceptance among friends. Waiting for a text reply or not getting enough texts can make a teen anxious, adds Dr. Jonathan Pletcher, an adolescent medicine specialist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Feeling like she has to answer with a reply text right away can also raise a teen's anxiety.

Daily Life

• Texting can interfere with several aspects of your teen's daily life. If she spends a lot of time conversing with friends on her cell phone at school, she's likely missing important information that could make it difficult to finish school work and get good grades. In addition, texting with friends often interferes with sleep if your teen's phone is perched on her night table, awakening her with a ping anytime she gets a text, notes pediatrician Dr. Martin Joffe. Staying up late to text also means your teen might be lacking in sleep.