Teenagers and Cell Phones: Pro or Con?

It occurred to me that cell phones have not been in use for very many years.

This generation is really the first one to be brought up completely with everyone owning their own cell phone.

So, I asked the girls in my Bible class to come up with some pros and cons of having a cell phone as a teenager and this is what they came up with:

Pros
1. If an accident happens, you can immediately get help.
2. It gives you protection because you can call 911 without having to look for a phone.
3. You have more opportunities to communicate with people anywhere you are.
4. You can talk to people who live far away.
5. You can be reached at anytime. (Can also be a con)
6. Texting enables you to send a quick message of encouragement when you don’t have time to talk.
7. GPS on your phone can help you when you are lost.

Cons
1. Texting can cause fights.  You may be more willing to say mean things because you do not have to face the person.
2. Someone can easily misinterpret what you are saying in a text because they can’t decipher your tone of voice.
3. A cell phone can enable you to lie about where you are because you can use it anywhere.
4. You can be reached at anytime. (Can also be a pro)
5. You have more access to prank call.
6. Can cause you to lose social skills because we do not talk face-to-face as often.

After we thought about the pros and cons of cell phones, we came up with some etiquette and manners of cell phone usage.
1. Don’t text at the table.
2. Don’t talk on the phone when you are with a friend.
3. Don’t text and drive. (More than manners, this should be a strict rule.)
4.  Turn your phone off in a meeting or at church.
5. If you can’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it in a text.
6. Don’t prank call.
7. Never text or call people during sleeping hours.
8. Don’t ignore others in order to text.
9. Don’t allow yourself to become antisocial because you are always on the cell phone.

What would you add to our lists? Leave us a comment with your ideas for other pros, cons, and etiquette tips you use!

Remember to walk in your beauty this week - and that includes your cell phone use :)
Kristi