The widespread adoption of smartphones and other mobile devices has unquestionably brought about a number of benefits for working adults. However, the introduction of various Web-enabled gadgets has also created a few disturbing trends, especially for teenagers who have become addicted to online technology use.
In an effort to navigate through the myriad of concerns related to mobile use among teens, the Federal Communications Commission has announced that it will hold an interactive forum on Tuesday at a local high school in Washington, D.C.
The FCC's (News - Alert) initial Generation Mobile forum will feature an open panel comprised of teens, parents and educators who will be discussing cyberbullying, sexting, over use, privacy and texting-while-driving. The panel will be hosted by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski (News - Alert) and Rosalind Wiseman, author of “Queen Bees and Wannabes,” the book in which the blockbuster film “Mean Girls” was based upon. Actress and comedienne Jane Lynch, star of the smash hit “Glee” and a member of LG's Text Education campaign, will join the group via satellite. The panel will also include mobile experts from SafetyWeb (News - Alert), Facebook, Sprint and several other leading providers of communication technologies.
“It’s the beginning of a process to help inform parents and spark a discussion about a range of issues that parents are concerned about,” Genachowski told the New York Times. “It is natural, as we focus on the opportunities of broadband, to ask about the dangers or risks, particularly with respect to kids.”
However, Genachowski added that the panel will not be discussing potential regulations, but will instead address strategies that parents can use to limit their children's use of mobile devices.
A recent Pew (News - Alert) Research study suggests that texting has surpassed face-to-face contact as the number one means of communication amongst teens. The researchers speculate that approximately half of American teenagers send more than 50 text messages on an average day.
For more info on the forum, click here.
Beecher Tuttle is a TMCnet contributor. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Tammy Wolf
