Addiction is evident when an obsession with something disrupts the more important things in life, like personal relationships, schooling, or jobs. People can become addicted to pretty much anything, and teens are especially vulnerable to addictions, whether behavior or substance addictions. Teenagers who are shy and have low self-esteem are more likely to become cellular addicts because, with text messaging, you can make 'texting friends' that you never actually have to meet, very much like internet chatting. The cell phone has been dubbed 'the new cigarette' and 'one of the biggest non-drug addictions of the 21st century.' Mobile phones are a status symbol for teenagers, where the person who gets the most messages is the most popular. The good news is that as teen cell phone use has increased, teen smoking has decreased. Take this quick assessment to learn more about the warning signs of mobile phone addiction and help you determine whether or not your teenager may be a cell phone addict.
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