Kid Communication in the Age of Texting

Friday, 10/23/2009

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Is electronic communication dangerous for kids? Whether you like it or not, kids, tweens and teens are more connected than ever with texting, instant messaging and social networks.

While concerns have been raised about the dangers of kids spending so much time with these mediums – that they will not live in the moment, that they won’t develop real relationships, or that they will meet dangerous strangers online – electronic communication is an essential part of kids’ lives.

Parenting.com posted an insightful article that suggests electronic communication isn’t the doomsday it was originally seen as. It cites studies in progress that show that kids use texting and IM as a means to augment their relationships, stay connected and in many cases foster their relationships with their parents. While the picture is not entirely rosy, the article suggests e-communication is on the whole a positive.

On the other hand, there is proof that this growing trend of e-communication does have a number of very real and negative consequences. The teen driving post by Toddlers to Teens Examiner Beth Vogt earlier this week highlighted another very real problem of technological communication – teen drivers are 15 times as likely to get into an accident while texting than while simply being on the phone. This is one small example of how inappropriate use of technology can have real consequences.

While we are inevitably years from understanding how e-communication effects the development and well-being of our children, it’s an interesting subject to debate.

What do you think? Is electronic communication detrimental to kids, tweens and teens? Read the Parening.com article, and answer our survey below or leave a comment.

Posted by » walden
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