Cell Phones and Ages 17-21

Youth in the 21st century have been born into the age of technology. They know how to use computers, DVD players, iPods, and a variety of other technological marvels that their parents still do not understand completely, and according to Rodriguez (2002), "almost one-third of all American teens carry at least one cell phone" (Dawursk). Of teenagers aged 13 to 18, at least 50% own at least one portable device-a cell phone, Palm Pilot, pocket PC, pager, or ultra light laptop (Dawursk). Cell phones have been "embraced by younger generations more quickly and incorporated more seamlessly into their daily routines," resulting in sociological changes (Vandewater & Lee 3). Writing on youth culture and cell phones, Douglas Stewart asserts that "Cell phones are becoming to today's youth what rock and roll was to the youth in the 1960's," commenting that teenagers with cell phones "have developed their own language and social groups away from the prying eyes of their parents." This paper will explore the influence of cell phones on youth in the approximate age range of 17 to 21 years old, identifying the ways that cell phones have changed or affected their lives.

One of the primary impacts of cell phone use on youth is social. Today's teens are "connected," both by cell phones and by Internet use/e-mail, to their friends and acquaintances. Teens "have been using cell phones to form friendships and social groups away from the

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professors, David Lee Strayer and Frank Drews, found that "talking on a cell phone while driving causes youth to move and react as slowly as the average 70-year-old"-18% slower, in fact (Steineckert). Strayer said, "It's like instantly aging a large number of drivers" (Steineckert). The 18% difference may only be measured in milliseconds, but it creates a higher risk of collision when driving (Steineckert). A third trend is even more alarming. A survey of college students showed that 40% of college cell phone users "admitted that they walked somewhere after dark that they would have never [gone] before they had their cell phones" (Stewart). Three-fourths of these students reported feeling "safer and more secure" because of their cell phones, but experts agree "these students are more vulnerable because they are less likely to be paying attention to their surroundings" (Stewart). As a result, some teen cell phone users admitted "walking in front of traffic while talking" (Stewart). There is also a trend toward teens being influenced by mobile advertising. Today's youth have an income of $233 billion that allows them to influence many household purchases beyond those specifically aimed at the young ("Today's

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