New Study Links Texting To Teen Behavior

Teens who text 120 times a day or more are more likely to have had sex or used alcohol and drugs than kids who don’t send as many messages, according to new research.

The study’s authors aren’t suggesting that “hyper-texting” leads to sex, drinking or drugs, but say it’s startling to see an apparent link between excessive messaging and that kind of risky behavior.

Local doctors specializing in children and families also agree.

“Essentially, what this study seems to indicate is that texting is the new gateway drug,” said Dr. Tom Wentz from the College Recovery Center. “As a potential process addiction, it’s understandable that it would lead to the use of other drugs.”

The study found that about one in five students were hyper-texters. Those teens are nearly three-and-a-half times more likely to have been in a physical fight, binge drink, use illegal drugs or take medication without a prescription.

Hyper-networkers, or teens that use social networking sites for three hours or more a day were also included in the study. However, they are not as likely to have had sex, but more likely to have had been involved in other risky behaviors like drinking or fighting.

The major conclusion from the study shows that the teens engaging in risky behavior are susceptible to peer pressure and also have permissive or absent parents.

“Adolescence is not an age to have children have more freedom and more independence,” said Dr. Wentz. “It’s actually a reverse time for parents to keep even closer track of their kids.”