In Education

Cell phones allow kids to text quiz answers, take pictures and videos of problem-solving methods for tests and leave voice messages detailing classroom pop quizzes and other events that otherwise would not spread by word of mouth in one day. A ban on cell phones in schools is not the answer, as a phone set to silent or vibrate mode may easily go unnoticed by teachers.

Texting

Youth today can carry on a conversation that some adults cannot understand. A simple conversation can be indecipherable. For example, "U R lol @ me, IDKW" translates to "You are laughing out loud at me and I don't know why." Unfortunately, texting allows for more than idle conversation. Some kids use texting to bully other kids and spread rude and nasty remarks to an entire school in seconds.

Sexting

The newest thing to hit young cell phone users today is sexting. Verbal texts, pictures or videos can be sent out to an entire contact list in seconds. Those kids that receive it in turn send it out and within an hour, potentially detrimental sexual material has been spread to a massive audience. Many kids can be hurt if pictures or texts that they think are going to one person are spread around to others.

Accidents

Young cell phone users know how to text while driving. They can talk on the phone or text and drive on the streets and highways without regard to the potential danger. Car accidents involving cell phones and youth have increased. The exact statistics cannot be detailed because they change—and increase—daily.

Warning

Some parents allow cell phones as a way to keep better tabs on their kids. However, because there is no easy way to confirm the location of a cell phone caller, kids can deceive their parents as to their whereabouts.