You may remember Michael’s post in December on the important topic of texting while driving. AT&T recently launched a campaign on this major issue.
Awareness is key. Whether you’re talking on the phone, sending a text message, or even swapping CD’s, all of these basic tasks could take our focus off of the road while driving, leaving you less aware of your surroundings’ less aware of the road in front of you and the other drivers around you.
A July 2009 study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute concluded that texting while driving increases your risk of being in an accident by a factor of 23.
I know the temptation to respond to a text message as soon as you receive it. We live in a society that holds connectivity and availability in very high esteem. When you’re in your car and behind the wheel, you’re not available. Pull over to the side of the road or wait until you get to your destination before sending a text message. No message is worth the opportunity cost of taking your focus off the road and endangering the lives of you, your passengers, and other drivers around you.
Help spread the word about the dangers of texting while driving. For more information on the campaign and to take the pledge to not text and drive, view AT&T’s Texting while Driving public education campaign.
Posted by Cory in Cory, Safety, Teens & Cell Phones, Uncategorized Tags: Cory, Safety, Texting
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Last November I wrote a blog in reference to the mystery of teenagers and text messaging. The blog focused on my daughter and the fact that she had 14,593 text messages in one month. I also mentioned this seems impossible as she cannot text message while she is at her high school. Plus she participates in a dance company where she dances a minimum of 3 hours a day during the week, almost every Saturday and occasionally on Sunday’s.
Until now I thought 14,593 text messages were impossible for her to exceed; however I am once again proven wrong by my children. Last month she broke the 25K barrier with 25,449 text messages in one month. This is equivalent to over 800 text messages a day which is unbelievable. One reason for the increase is she was out of school and dance for winter break which lasted about 2 weeks. However, 25,449 text messages in a month is still a lot of messages for anyone.
I am considering looking up the Guinness World Record for text messages, as this could be the new record. The teenagers today say thank goodness for wireless technology, however I am just thankful that unlimited text messaging is a feature that is offered and to which I subscribe. Do you have teenagers that go to the extreme with text messaging? Did they ever exceed 25,000 text messages in one month?
Standard usage rates apply to text messages, depending on your plan.
Posted by Michael in Michael, Teens & Cell Phones Tags: Michael, Teenagers, Texting
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During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, our family had dinner at my wife’s cousin’s house on two separate occasions. We had a total of 10 people at each dinner, spanning from three generations. My mother-in-law and my wife’s cousin’s parents made up one generation. My wife and I as well as her cousin and cousin’s husband made up another generation. Finally my son (20 years old), daughter (16 years old) and their cousin (23 years old) made up the third generation.
During the dinner my children were caught eating with one hand, which made everyone curious as to what they were doing. Then we realized what was happening, as my children were seen using their mobile phones throughout dinner. They were texting while they were eating, although they claimed to just be checking the time. I guess no one uses a watch anymore? The mobile devices at the dinner table seemed to bother several people, which then sparked some comments.
Using mobile phones during the family dinner resulted in a new type of timeout, “mobile phone timeout.” Do your children need a “mobile phone timeout” so they can have some quality family time?
Posted by Michael in Michael, Teens & Cell Phones Tags: Michael, Teenagers, Texting
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Hey! I was recently given the opportunity to review the Samsung Solstice, along with my son. We wanted to share with you some of the features we thought were the best, including the touch screen, Bluetooth, GPS and other great tools.
Pretty great, right? Well I have good news! We have one Samsung Solstice to give away to one lucky reader.
Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment here and tell us how the Samsung Solstice will help keep you calm, cool and connected. Your e-mail address and phone number must be accurate in your comment so we’re able to contact you. Make sure you double check. (Don’t worry. These won’t be published.)
2) You can also enter by writing a post on your blog answering the same question. Just be sure to leave a comment here linking to your post so we know where to find it.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This sweepstakes runs from today, November 16 to Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. It is only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older; one entry per person. AT&T employees and members of their household are not eligible to win. The winner will be notified via phone on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009.
For complete contest rules, click here: http://att.centralcast.net/rules/.
Posted by Stephanie in Contests, How To, Stephanie, Teens & Cell Phones Tags: Contest, Contests, Stephanie
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Hi! My daughter just got a new phone, the Samsung Propel, which she’s very excited about. Here, she shows some of the features that she likes best.
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Posted by Becky in Becky, Reviews, Teens & Cell Phones Tags: Becky, Teenagers
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As the parent of a teenage daughter, I am curious how it is possible for someone to have over 14,000 text messages in a month. What makes this more challenging is that she cannot text message while she is at her high school. In addition she participates in a dance company where she dances 3 hours a day during the week, almost every Saturday and occasionally on Sunday’s.
Last month my daughter had 14,593 messages on her Samsung A737 phone. The 14,593 messages is equivalent to about 486 messages a day, based on a 30 day month. I do not know how this is possible given her schedule with high school and dance. When I get home from work I have trouble watching one hour worth of TV. Do you have teenagers that like to text message?
Posted by Michael in Michael, Teens & Cell Phones Tags: Michael, Teenagers, Texting
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Hey! While having lunch with the family, my daughter shows a fun way to update the look of a cell phone.
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Posted by Becky in Becky, Just for fun, Teens & Cell Phones Tags: Becky, Teenagers, teens
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Hey! Recently my family went to a theme park to celebrate Halloween. While waiting around my daughter showed a fun game she likes to play on her phone.
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Posted by Becky in Becky, Just for fun, Teens & Cell Phones Tags: Becky
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As a parent I am amazed on how our children find new applications for their mobile devices. Stephanie recently blogged about her shopping tips, and I began to notice how my daughter and her friends are using their mobile devices for shopping as well.
My daughter, a high school junior, needed a new dress for homecoming dances she is planning to attend. She and her friends went shopping at the mall for new dresses, which is no different than when I was in high school (however I never bought a dress). What is different is they were taking pictures of themselves in the dresses and emailing the pictures to several of their friends for their opinions. I have noticed this new way to shop for homecoming dresses continued throughout the weekend as my daughter was receiving pictures of dresses from several of her friends. As an observer this was very entertaining.
I thought about this, and am impressed that our children find new ways to use their mobile devices in addition to talking and texting. This is the new way to shop in the 21st century.
Posted by Michael in Michael, Shopping, Teens & Cell Phones Tags: Michael, Photos, Teenagers
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Posted by Becky in Becky, Just for fun, Teens & Cell Phones, Vlogs Tags: Becky, Teenagers, teens
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