3-7 Cell Phones Are Great, But....

Most teens have some or complete access to a cell phone. Are there reasons to be concerned about how much time teens spend on cell phones? Are there some rules teens should make for themselves? Why do different parents have such differing opinions about their children using cell phones? These are the questions we will consider in this lesson.

Activity 1
Watch the video below titled Teens and Cell Phones. In this video, a panel of journalists talk about the role cell phones play in their families lives. They also read e-mail and Facebook message from viewers who explain their reasons for allowing or not allowing their kids to have phones. It's a very interesting video that shows how adults struggle to give their children privileges while trying to keep them safe.

Teens and Cell Phones Links to an external site.

You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/embed/NxZp-ImZVBU?

Open a Text Entry wiki. Copy and paste the questions below into the wiki and then write your response.

1. What is your family's rules about cell phone use?

2. Are the rules clear and fair or do the rules change?

3. Do you think your parents lead by example or do they tell you to do one thing while they do something else?

4. Should parents have to follow the same rules they make for their children about cell phones?

Activity 2

In the next video titled Addicted to Texting, a teenager talks about his addiction to texting his girlfriend. Watch the video, then respond to the discussion question titled Can Kids Get Addicted to Phones? Remember the rules for discussions. You should always be respectful of other students' opinions and comments. You should respond to at least 2 other students' threads plus write your own. Your responses can start with a frame like the examples below:

Javier - I agree with you but...

Maria - I think I understand what you are trying to say but another example would be helpful....

Lisa - I had a very similar experience when...

Addicted to Texting Links to an external site.

You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ReDYMBeHZ4

 Activity 3

In the next video titled Texting Study, a group of researchers wanted to understand how people use their phones in various settings. Watch the video and listen for ALL of the questions they hope to answer. Open a Text Entry wiki, scroll down to the bottom of the wiki, and write Activity 3. Then make a list of all of the questions the researchers are trying to answer with this study. When you are done making a list, write 2-3 sentences about why the researchers care about this topic.

Texting Study Links to an external site.

You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ozpkDp2KIw?

Activity 4

Texting can be very dangerous when you are walking, driving, riding a bike, or skating. In this activity, you will read about a Sweetwater High School student who was walking with her brother near a busy street. She was texting while she walked. She was struck by a semi-truck and killed even though her brother tried to pull her out of the way. She was a 15 year old student who attended school at Castle Park High School. Use the link below to read the article and watch the video. Unfortunately, there are no do-overs with tragedies like this one. 

Teen killed while texting Links to an external site.

Open a Text Entry wiki, scroll down to the bottom of the wiki, and write Activity 4. Then write about whether you think this story would make you or someone you love think twice about texting while doing something else.

Finally, for the next day or two, pay closer attention to just how many people you see at school, on the road, in stores, etc. are one step away from tragedy. Make a promise to yourself that you won't let that next tragedy be about you.

  Links to an external site.