Text Messaging Dangerous to Teens | DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, Esquire

Teenagers love to send text-messages.  In fact, the average American teen sends and receives about 80 text messages per day–approximately 2,300 every month.  What worries experts is the fact that these texts takes place while kids should be paying attention to their teachers, while they cross busy intersections, and even when they are driving. The New York Times reports that  text-messaging is distracting teen-drivers, leading to an increased risk of car accidents.  And if that’s not scary enough, the report reveals that texting is believed to lead to adverse health issues concerning both physical and mental well-being.

Among other findings, researches have determined that texting causes “anxiety, distraction in school, falling grades, repetitive stress injury and sleep deprivation”, according to the Times report. From a social perspective, teens text often because they fear being “out of the loop,” says Michael Hausauer, psychotherapist in Oakland, California.  However, the constant communication created by so much texting can make teenagers feel “frightened and overly exposed,” comments Mr. Hausauer.  The repetitive thumb and finger movements can also cause a variety of musculoskeletal injuries, according to Peter W. Johnson, associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington.

We understand the usefulness of text-messaging, but we encourage our readers to impress upon teens the risks of over-texting.  The dangers can be physical and emotional.

Our firm has experience pursuing cases for adults and children that involve tragic product defects. For information about your legal rights, please click here or contact us at Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at (202) 463-3030.