Teen+phone = true love, but parents cite fears

ACE*COMM surveyed teens and parents on their cellphone uses. Based on responses from 1,000 U.S. and 1,000 U.K./German teens in 2005-2006, the firm found:
● 39% of American teens use SMS with friends while in school
● 24% of U.S. teens play video games on their cellphones while in school
● 24 % of U.S. teens talk to friends on their cellphones while in school
● 23% of teens use their phones to talk to people they know their parents wouldn’t approve of
● American teens report spending as much time on their mobile phones as they do on their homework
● About half of teens would rather have their TV time limited than their mobile-phone
usage
And among 1,000 U.S. parents of kids ages 12-17 in 2006, the firm found:
● 99% want their child to be able to contact them by cellphone in an emergency
● 98% want kids to have access to their cellphone during after-school activities
● 84% want to be able to reach their child and have the child contact them during school hours via cellphone if there is a change in schedule
● 66% are concerned that overuse of SMS or calling will impact their child’s school/homework.
● 65% are worried about big bills due to their child’s use.
● 35% are worried about the use of cellphones to cheat on tests
● 41% are concerned about exposure to sexual predators through SMS, and 31% are concerned about mobile bullying or harassment.
ACE*COMM offers parental controls to wireless carriers.