Communications and Media

Positive impacts of cell phones on teens
The cell phone has become a tool for social empowerment among the teens.  With cell phones, adolescents are able to have and expanded social network which is not restricted by physical locations. For a teen to interact with their peer groups, they only need to have cell phone contacts and the peer group experiences can be shared in almost every place and time so long as they are within network coverage. From such contacts with peer group members, adolescents are able to move from their parents in a step-by-step process. The step-by-step release from parents starts from a virtual connection and this allows the teens to explore a lot of things concerning their peers before they are finally tightly knit to the peer groups. This is especially effective when considering either sex. For instance, female peers can form virtual connections before they enter into tightly knit peer groups involving the other sex. This is an advantage because the initial interaction is a verbal form of communication as opposed to starting with physical interactions in cases where no cell phone communication exists (Geser, 2006).

Teenage girls are particularly out to benefit from cell phone communication since bilateral relationships, preferable to teenage girls, are promoted by cell phones. The cell phone can therefore be viewed as a means of leveling gender differences since boys tend to more multilateral in their communication. This difference is also leveled in that teenage girls, who tend to be more restricted in their movement space, are able to still explore contacts even at times when their movement would have been restricted (Skog, 2002). For instance, a teenage girl would still be able to contact certain persons at night when they are still at home whereas this would have been impossible without cell phones. The culture of boredom and isolation among teenage girls is therefore eliminated through use of cell phones.

Cell phones have enhanced communication in teens. With cell phones, teens are able to communicate easily with parents and significant others in their lives. Parents can constantly communicate with their children at any time and any place. Similarly, a teenager is able to keep in touch with their parents or guardian at any time. This is very beneficial to the teen since it enhances a sense of security.

Whenever an adolescent is for instance in danger or in a situation that they may feel uncomfortable, the cell phone provides a good chance for communicating with a parent or even police without being noticed. Other than enabling communication in dangerous instances the teenager is in touch with family members and friends regardless of the distance (Baker, 2010). It is reported that up to 94 percent have used their cell phones to get in touch with friends by making a call while 74 percent do so by sending text messages (Lenhart, 2009).

The security reasons for teen cell phone usage are an important one. This is because teens may help in preventing a crime by reporting it to emergency departments without being noticed. In addition, the cell phone with its video or audio features can be used to collect evidence that may be important in criminal activities that a teen may be a witness or may just encounter. With tracking technology, a parent can be able to ensure that the adolescent is safe which makes the adolescent feel safe and confident. In the same aspect, the cell phone is a convenient tool for youths whether they are reacting to emergency situations or they are simply communication to friends and family members. There is no need to locate a booth to make a call as the teenager is always with the cell phone (CMCH, 2007).

The fact that 77 percent of teens cite the cell phone as a beneficial tool due to convenience in communication is an indicator that the cell phone has a positive impact on teens. In fact a significant majority (75 percent) of youths indicate that the cell phone is most beneficial to them as it helps in convenience of reaching family members and making them feel secure (Cellular-news, 2010). A teenage who is in a family where the parents have divorced gains a lot from cell phone as they are able to connect with either of the parent who is living away at their own convenience. As such, the teenager gets parental attention which is very crucial at this stage of development.  These are positive measures that portray the benefits that teens gain from having access to and using cell phones.

Cell phones contain powerful features that can be very helpful to teens. In fact the mere presence of powerful features in a phone makes some teens feel fashionable. In addition to providing text options, which is an easy and convenient means of communication among teens, teens are able to access internet services, listen to music and among other features. This is a way of not only accessing a variety of entertainment services but also increasing knowledge base in teens. Cell phones have therefore effectively helped in closing the digital divide among especially marginalized in teens.