Text much?

Hyper-texters and –networkers likely to practice risky behaviors

This article was published on 11.11.10

Well, these teens do. A recent study by Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland looked at the habits of high schoolers who “hyper-text” (send more than 120 texts a day) and “hyper-network” (spend more than three hours a day on social-networking sites). Of the students polled, 19.8 percent reported hyper-texting, while 11.5 admitted to hyper-networking. What’s more shocking, however, is how these hyper activities tend to relate to risky behaviors. (In addition, hyper-networking was linked to higher rates of depression, suicide and poor academics.)

Hyper texters are more likely to have…

• tried cigarettes: 40%
• tried alcohol: 2 times likely
• used illicit drugs: 41%
• been in a physical fight: 55%
• had sex: 3 1/2 times likely
• had four or more sexual partners: 90%

Hyper networkers are more likely to have…

• smoked: 62%
• tried alcohol: 79%
• used illicit drugs: 84%
• been in a physical fight: 94%
• had sex: 69%
• had four or more sexual partners: 60%