Problematic cell phone use for text messaging and substance abuse in early adolescence (11- to 13-year-olds)

Abstract

our findings confirm a widespread PCPU for text messaging among early adolescents. The odds of PCPU is greater in young people at risk of other substance abuse behavior.

How Adolescents Use Text Messaging Through their High School Years

“…Although a great deal of research has examined how text messaging may be harmful (Gallimberti et al, ; Nesi et al, ; Wolfe, Marcum, Higgins, & Ricketts, ), this platform may provide a technological means for navigating many of the traditional challenges of adolescence. These communication technologies are now firmly entrenched in modern society and are unlikely to go away, so understanding how youth can use them to navigate the developmental challenges of adolescence may be a critical step in promoting the healthy development of future generations.…”

“…Most recent research on text messaging involves college or young adult samples (e.g., Holtzman et al, ; Hsieh & Tseng, ; Ishii, Rife, & Kagawa, ; McEwan & Horn, ; Ouelette & Michaud, ). Almost all studies rely on survey data (e.g., Abeele et al, ; Gallimberti et al, ; Grover et al, ; Ishii et al, ; Lenhart, ; Ling, ; McEwan & Horn, ; Nesi, Widman, Choukas‐Bradley, & Prinstein, ). However, important exceptions examine small samples of text messages of college students (Eshghinejad & Moini, ; Ouelette & Michaud, ) and young adults (Aledavood et al, ), as well as one laboratory study with college students (Holtzman et al, ).…”

“…Most research on text messaging has also focused on negative features of this communication. Survey studies have found that problematic cell phone use was related to substance abuse (Gallimberti et al, ); that nighttime text messaging was associated with sleeping less, more sleepiness during the day, and lower academic performance (Grover et al, ); and that exchanging a greater proportion of communication with romantic partners via text messages was related to lower interpersonal competence one year later (Nesi et al, ). Several studies have shown that sexting relates to risky sex (Brinkley, Ackerman, Ehrenreich, & Underwood, ; Choi et al, ; Rice et al, ).…”

Pathological use of mobile phones by secondary school students

“…Mobile phone and Internet overuse may be harmful to the young person's health, causing stress, depression, social anxiety, insomnia or hyperactivity [7][8][9]. Moreover, studies show that emotional and behavioral problems are more frequent among adolescents who use the Internet or a mobile phone problematically [9][10][11][12], with some of the most popular forms of mobile phone use being surfing the Internet, playing games online or sending text messages [13]. The problematic use of mobile phones is associated with young age, extraversion, low level of conciliating attitudes, high level of depression and low self-evaluation [14][15][16].…”

National data showed that delayed sleep in six‐year‐old children was associated with excessive use of electronic devices at 12 years

“…For example, Livingstone and Smith reviewed the potential risks of cyber‐aggression, cyber‐bullying and sexual misconduct through exchanges of abusive or sexually explicit text messages. Other studies have reported the risk of mental and physical problems being associated with the use of electronic devices such as television (TV) and video games, including internalising behaviours such as depression and externalising behaviours such as substance abuse, poor academic performance and obesity .…”