Teens who use cell phones most found to be sadder and less assured

Iria · May 25, 2006, 05:17 AM

Source: SFGate
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The teen obsession with yakking, text messaging and ring tone swapping on their cell phones might mean more than a whopping phone bill. For the most crazed, it's a sign of unhappiness and anxiety, according to a new medical study.

A survey of 575 high school students found that the top third of users -- students who used their phones more than 90 times a day -- frequently did so because they were unhappy or bored. They scored significantly higher on tests measuring depression and anxiety compared with students who used their phones a more sedate 70 times daily.

The study, presented Tuesday at a meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in Toronto, is among the first to explore the emotional significance of teens' cell phone habits as the device becomes more entrenched in today's youth culture.

May 25, 2006, 05:17 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Teens who use cell phones most found to be sadder and less assured Source: SFGate ____________ The teen obsession with yakking, text messaging and ring tone swapping on their cell phones might mean more than a whopping phone bill. For the most crazed, it's a sign of unhappiness and anxiety, according to a new medical study. A survey of 575 high school students found that the top third of users -- students who used their phones more than 90 times a day -- frequently did so because they were unhappy or bored. They scored significantly higher on tests measuring depression and anxiety compared with students who used their phones a more sedate 70 times daily. The study, presented Tuesday at a meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in Toronto, is among the first to explore the emotional significance of teens' cell phone habits as the device becomes more entrenched in today's youth culture.