TEXTING or SMSing as it is popularly known, has become the latest fad. As more and more youngsters resort to text messaging over voice calls, emails and other available modes of conversation, concerns are being raised over the health hazards posed by the excessive use of mobile phones for sending/ receiving SMSs.
Delhi Most Notorious!
According to a study conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India ( ASSOCHAM), Delhi tops the list of cities in text messaging, with youngsters spending a whopping INR 1,000- 1,500 every month on SMS packages. Interestingly, more girls ( 55 per cent) in the Capital were found addicted to texting.
The survey assessed the responses of youth aged between 12- 20 in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Patna, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Jaipur. The sample group, having an equal number of males and females, consisted of about 200 youngsters. The findings of the survey are quite disconcerting, if not outright alarming.
“ Excessive texting is responsible for a number of health related problems in the youngsters such as insomnia, depression, loss of appetite, isolation etc,” secretary general of ASSOCHAM D. S. Rawat said.
Health Hazards
“ Sending and receiving text messages have become primary means of communication — so much so that it has become an obsession among youngsters. Prolonged engagement with such an activity can lead to diseases like brain tumour, infertility, etc,” he added. The survey revealed that around 80 per cent of youngsters in the national Capital check their phones every few seconds to see if they have received any message.
Most of them complained of severe pain in the area around the thumb and the wrist because of constant use of the cell phones keypad while typ-ing. Almost 90 per cent of those surveyed in Delhi- NCR admitted that they sleep with their cell phone lying next to them.
“ Constant texting during the night is causing problems such as insomnia and anxiety among youngsters. Majority of respondents admitted that they are often awakened by a phone call or a text message after going to bed. Lack of sleep has been affecting their work and progress,” Rawat said.
Cardinal Sin: Texting while driving
Around 60 per cent of youngsters in Delhi- NCR admitted that they text while driving.
“ We found that chances of a car crash increases by 30 times when a person is texting, as drivers typically take their eyes off the road for nearly five seconds to send or receive text messages,” Rawat said.
More than 70 per cent youngsters admitted exchanging SMSs during a class or a lecture in spite of the use of mobiles being prohibited in schools and colleges.
THINK BEFORE YOU SEND AN SMS...
- Majority of youngsters in Delhi are addicted to texting.
- They spend more than INR 1,000 monthly on SMS packs
- Easy access combined with low costs has made text messaging a preferred mode of communication for the youth, especially for girls
- Excessive texting can lead to a number of psychosocial and health related disorders such as insomnia, depression, loss of appetite and isolation
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