What teens think about the cell phones in their lives
When it comes to a person’s social status or popularity, only clothing outranks cell phones as a measuring stick. This according to a study of teens released today by CTIA - The Wireless Association and Harris Interactive.
According to the study, cell phones outranked jewelry, watches and shoes when it’s time to evaluate peers. Teens also say that the cell phone is an important part of their social lives, with 57 percent viewing it as the key to socialization.
The study also confirmed something most parents probably already know. Teens spend as much time texting as they do actually talking on their cell phones. 47 percent of them said the loss of texting would harm their social lives.
Teens say texting has critical advantages because it offers more options, including multitasking, speed, the option to avoid verbal communication, and because it is fun - in that order. With more than 1 billion text messages sent each day, it is no surprise that 42 percent of teens say they can even text blindfolded, the study revealed.
Tim has covered a wide range of topics, including tourism, crime, aviation and gambling, since becoming a reporter in 1990. The Oklahoma native joined the Post-Dispatch in 2007 after spending nine years in Orlando. In his spare time, he's often exploring one virtual world or another. He can be reached at tbarker@post-dispatch.com. 
Oh Ya? Well I can talk while blindfolded, and I can talk faster than I type, so I don’t need to multitask. I do like the option of deleting what I was going to say and saying something better tho. It is a quick and concise relay of info, but I still prefer to just talk to my friends rather than text.