This week Common Sense Media released their latest report, The Common Sense Census: Plugged In Parents of Tweens and Teens. We all know our kids are connected, but this study revealed how parents are equally attached to their screens and media too.
According to their study, 78% of parents “believe they are good technology role models for their kids.”
Parents of teens and tweens spend an average of 9 hours a day with screen media.
Since we have determined we all spend a lot of time online or digitally connected in some way, the report also said that 94% of parents agreed that technology has a positive influence on their children when it comes to education and schoolwork.
- 88 percent of parents say that technology helps their children learn new skills
- 89 percent say that technology helps prepare kids for the 21st-century jobs
- 77 percent say that technology exposes their children to other cultures
- 79 percent say that technology helps support their child’s creativity
- 69 percent say that technology helps their child meet others with similar interests
- 54 percent say that technology helps their child with social skills
Education is important to families and the statistics prove this. They recognize the value of technology to their child’s future — but we also must remember the times when we must disconnect.
Here’s the challenge, if 78 percent of parents believe they are good technology role models, why do we still have such high numbers for distracted driving?
Did you know?
- 1 out of 4 car accidents in the US are caused by texting while driving.
- Texting and driving is 6 times more likely to get you in an accident than drunk driving. That’s right, it is actually safer for someone to get wasted and get behind the wheel than to text and do it.
- Every day, 11 teenagers die because they were texting while driving.
- 94% of teenagers understand the consequences of texting and driving, but 35% of them admitted that they do it anyway.
- Of all the teenagers ever involved in fatal accidents every year, 21% were using a cell phone at the time of the accident.
- Teen drivers have a 400% higher chance of being in a car crash when texting while driving than adults.
- 25% of teens respond to at least one text while driving, every single time.
- 10% of adults and 20% of teenagers have admitted that they have entire conversations over text message platforms while driving.
- 52% of these talk on the phone while driving, and 32% text on the road.
- When teens text while they drive, they veer off lane 10% of their total drive time.
(Source: DistractedDriverAccidents.com)
Despite knowing the dangers of distracted driving, we’ve read the headlines over and over again of senseless crashes and deaths due to needless clicks, yet people continue to email, text and livestream while driving. If you review the stats, 94 percent of teenagers understand the consequences of distracted driving yet 35 percent admitted they do it anyway.
For parents, especially the 78 parents that are good tech role models, Cellslip, which is a partner of AAA Auto Club Group, wants to ensure your family’s safety.
There are many people that have a hard time unplugging while they are in their vehicle, with Cellslip, you don’t have to turn off your phone, you simply slide it in the pocket. It will block all incoming calls and text messages so you can concentrate on the road. When you have reached your destination, you remove your phone and within seconds all your voicemail, text messages and app notifications are received. The best part is — you have arrived safely.
As a role model, we owe it not only to our children and family, but to the safety of others on the road not to drive distracted.
Cellslip makes a perfect holiday gift, whether for your teen driver, friend, your office party or even consider having Cellslip personalized with your business logo for your next trade show. Order now with promo code SlipItOrTicket and receive 30 percent off your order.
