Leah Oldham is a student at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences.
With all the communications technology available today, teens say they feel connected to the world — but some find it almost impossible to take a break from their parents.
According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2007, 89 percent of teens say the Internet and other electronic devices such as iPods and cell phones make their lives easier, a statement 71 percent of their parents agree with.
Albany Kelly and Rhea Woods, both seniors at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, said they use their cell phones constantly.
“I rarely turn off my cell phone,” Albany said.
Rhea said she thought cell phones “allow for greater communication.”
In the Pew Center study, 63 percent of teens and 89 percent of parents own cell phones.
As useful as they can be for staying in touch, some teens said carrying a cell phone also keeps them too connected with their parents.
“It’s a privilege to have a cell phone, but it definitely ties me down more,” said Cayla Bassham, a senior at Ooltewah High School. “My parents expect to call and get a hold of me, (and) if I don’t answer when they call, there will be consequences.”
Karen Coleman, a mother of three, said that cell phones have made communication easier with Megan, her daughter in college. She added that “cell phones can promote independence to kids” because parents will worry less knowing they can reach their kids. She also said cell phones “have the ability to take you away from the present” for teens who are constantly using them.
Even if having a direct line to parents in their pockets bothers some teens, the ease of access makes staying in touch less of a hassle than not having one.
“If I did not have a cell phone, then my parents would say, ‘Find a phone to call me when you get where you are going,’ ” said Allie Gentry, a student at Middle College. “My parents know my friends have phones, and they would tell me to call them from one of my friends’ phones.
“I wouldn’t have any less freedom or any more freedom (without a cell phone),” she said.
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