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Technology
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2006-10-23 22:40:23-04
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Most parents feel kids safer with mobiles than not
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London, Oct 23: A British study has revealed that more and more parents now see mobile phones as a significant tool in monitoring children's behaviour, giving them peace of mind, and making young people feel safer. The research made by The Trust for Study of Adolescence showed that despite fears of over "happy slapping," text bullying and other mobile phone crimes, parents believe that their children are safer with the gadget than without. Young people were more concerned about happy slapping than their parents, with two-thirds reporting they had been a victim or knew someone who had been, it said. The study also showed that parents buy their children mobile phones once they enter secondary schools to monitor kids and to reach them in cases of emergencies. The research also showed having a mobile increased young people's feeling of independence, and was frequently used to plan arrangements both with parents and friends. "While mobile phones don't encourage young people to take more risks, they do see them as providing more flexibility," BBC quoted Kerry Devitt, a researcher for the study as saying. The study also showed that girls were much more likely to text parents to let them know they were safe than boys, and were also more likely to use text messaging for social purposes. The Trust for the Study of Adolescence research included interviews with 60 families from across the UK from different social and ethnic backgrounds. Government figures have revealed that 82% of 12 to 15-year-olds owned a mobile phone while just under half (49%) of 8 to 11-year-olds had one. Across both age groups, they make an average of eight calls and send 25 text messages a week. The prevalence of mobile phones among younger age groups has led politicians, civic organisations and campaign groups to look for ways to provide text messaging as a channel for interaction, the report said.
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