Tech Article- 11/12/10

Hypertexting/Hypernetworking risks

A new study by the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine links  poor health behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and sexual activity to hypertexting and hypernetworking. The study defines hypertexting as sending more than 120 text messages per school day. Hypernetworking is spending more than 3 hours per school day on social network sites like Facebook and Twitter. These are what recent studies show:

Teens who are hypertexters are:

- Nearly 3.5 times more likely to have sex

- 40% more likely to have tried cigarettes

- 90% more likely to report four or more sexual partners

Teens who are hypernetworkers are:

- 60% more likely to report four or more sexual partners

- 69% more likely to be binge drinkers

- 84% more likely to have used illicit drugs

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