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Cellphones Can Do More Harm Than Good

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Cellphones Can Do More Harm Than Good
Text Messaging: The Effects on Our Society

A Report By: Blake Hogan, Emily Gilbert, Megan Leckington, and Chris Morris

1

Abstract:
In today’s day and age, most everyone in our society has and uses a cell phone. Most of those who use cell phones also use the SMS text messaging that these phones feature. This study takes a look at some of the effects and potential problems arising from the use of this text messaging. A survey of students and instructors at Lane Community College found that 70% of those surveyed believed that texting had harmful effects on students writing skills. However, studies that were analyzed found that texting is actually beneficial. While 54% of teenagers text others on a daily basis only 33% of teenagers talk to others face-to-face, yet it is too early in research to draw a conclusion on whether texting is harmful to their social skills. Most people know that text messaging while driving is very dangerous, yet the studies analyzed as well as the surveys conducted show that some people are still willing to take that risk.

Table of Contents:
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………….1 Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………….1 List of Figures……………………………………………………………………………...1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..2 Methodology……………………………………………………………………………….2 Participants………………………………………………………………………………...2 Results…………………………………………………………………………………..3-18 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………..19 References………………………………………………………………………………..20

List of Figures:
Edutopia.org Survey Pie Chart………………………………………………………….4 LCC Student Survey Bar Graph……………………………………………………......5 LCC Instructor Survey Bar Graph……………………………………………………..6 Texting Table 1…………………………………………………………………………...8 Texting Table 2…………………………………………………………………………...8 U.S. Map of Texting Legality…………………………………………………………….9 Teenager Social Interaction Bar Graph……………………………………………….10 Texting and Literacy Tables………………………………………………………...13-18

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Introduction:
Cell phones are becoming a modern


References: Durkin, K., G. Conti-Ramsdent, and A.J. Walker. “ Txt lang: Texting, textism use and literacy abilities in adolescents with and without specific language impairment.” Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (Feb. 2011): n. pag. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. Gardner, Lisa A. What to do About the Problem of Texting While Driving? . Spec. issue of CPCU eJournal 63.11 (2010): 1-10. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. . Lenhart, Amanda. "Teens, Cell Phones, and Texting." Pew Research Center Publications. Pew Research Center, 20 Apr. 2010. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. . Map of Texting Bans. Map. iLookBothWays. Linda Criddle, 14 Dec. 2011. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. . Powell, D., and M. Dixon. “Does SMS text messaging help or harm adults’ knowledge of standard spelling?” Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (Feb. 2011): n. pag. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. Stout, Hilary. "Antisocial Networking?" The New York Times 30 Apr. 2010: ST1. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. . “Teens Aware of Texting Dangers, Yet Carry On.” Professional Safety 56.12 (2011): n. pag. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. . United States. Administration of Barack Obama. Proclamation 8610- National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. By Barack Obama. 1-2. Academic Search Premier . N.p., 1 Dec. 2010. Web. 28 Feb. 2012. . Wood, C., et al. “ The effect of text messaging on 9- and 10-year-old children’s reading, spelling and phonological processing skills.” Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (Feb. 2011): n. pag. Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Feb. 2012.
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