Too Many Texts? Excessive use of texting, social media linked to
risky behavior in teens. Parents of text-crazed teenagers might
have more to be concerned about than sky-high cell phone bills,
according to a Case Western Reserve University study that links
excessive use of popular high-tech communications to risky
health behaviors. According to the study, 19.8 percent of teens
surveyed reported hyper-texting—sending more than 120 messages
per school day—and the data showed these students are 40 percent
more likely to have tried cigarettes, two times more likely to
have tried alcohol, 43 percent more likely to be binge drinkers
and 41 percent more likely to have used illicit drugs compared
to their non-hyper-texting peers. In addition, these students
are 55 percent more likely to have been in a physical fight,
nearly three-and-a-half times more likely to have had sex and 90
percent more likely to report four or more sexual partners.
Scott Frank, MD, MS, lead researcher on the study and director
of the Case Wes