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Editor's Note: Welcome to American Morning's LIVE Blog where you can discuss the "most news in the morning" with us each and every day. Join the live chat during the program by adding your comments below. It's your chance to share your thoughts on the day's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules: 1) Keep it brief 2) No writing in ALL CAPS 3) Use your real name (first name only is fine) 4) No links 5) Watch your language (that includes $#&*).
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/20/germany.airport.gi.art.jpg caption="Passengers look at a time table announcing cancelled flights at the airport in Hamburg, Germany, on April 16, 2010. "]
Some flights resume amid new ash cloud formation
(CNN) – More flights were expected to resume across Europe on Tuesday, but concern also grew of a new cloud of ash that has spewed from an Icelandic volcano that officials said was heading toward the United Kingdom, possibly posing a renewed threat to air travel.
"This demonstrates the dynamic and rapidly changing conditions in which we are working," the United Kingdom's National Air Traffic Service said in a written statement. "Latest information ... shows that the situation is worsening in some areas. Based on this information, the situation for Northern Irish airports for the morning is uncertain, due to the new ash cloud." Read more
Sound off: Would you be willing to take the risk flying if you were stuck because of the volcano?
Are teens texting too much?
If you have a kid you know they have it down to a science. We're talking about texting. For many, it's their social lifeline. Communicating with friends any time, any where. In fact, one Pew Research study found the average teen sends 100 texts a day. So are teens texting too much? In this week's original series, "Texting 2 Much?" our Deb Feyerick examines teens with excessive texting habits.
Sound off: Do your teens text too much? We want to hear from you this morning. Add your comments to the LIVE blog below and we'll read some of them on the show.
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I totally agree with the experts that were on the show this am..however I think a big problem that everyone missed is these kids are ABLE to send 3-6,000 texts per month, because they are on their parent's regular cell phone plan, instead of having a pre-paid plan.
If they are only allowed to use a pre-paid phone, until the time they are able to and responsible enough to use a regular plan phone, they would not have the ability in the first place to text so much. There has to be a limit.
I am so stupis I swear to God! – I read my own message wrong Augh! Yes I do get SSD from Social Security. It's called needing to be on a lot of Pain medication which can mess things up at times. I'm am soo blasted sorry for creating a mess here. Please forgive me you guys. I don't know. Maybe I need to stop trying to say anything.
That should have been that I DON'T – DO NOT – get paid for my bumb writings. No-one even sees them. Sorry – I'm very good at making mistakes when I write something. Sorry again
As regards texting, sure you see kids everywhere texting, it seems all the time. But, it is much safer than actual voice conversation, with all the studies about link of cancer and cell phones.
Good ol Boy – I don't text but I am on the computer all the time, every day, simply looking up things o interest or attempting to write stupid romance stories. Not to sell but for my own entertainment. And I do get paid and all that from the Gov. despite what I do and its not because I'm too lazy to work! I'm forced to be in bed 90% of the time because of a disability that I won't go into! I'm highly insulted my your remark! Why do people always have to talk or write something bad before they think about what their saying! It's easy! Their texting or typing all the time and are no longer able to use their heads and remember how to be polite anymore!
Texting 2 Much has become a serious problem with our teens in and out of school. When it got to the point where the law had to get involved with my daugter and a small group of my daughters friends is when I finally stepped in. Us as parents felt we had to take drastic measures at first so we all got together as parents just a few days ago and the group is growing strong and fast. We, as parents, all felt that we were at a loss and now as a group we feel we can win this battle by formulating positive reinforcements and with guidelines for our children to follow. Your segment on this matter couldn't have come at a better time and we will be taking some of the advise form your segments on this issue... Thank you so much for airing on this matter- Mike Fiscarelli. (only one of many concerned parents here in Boise, Idaho)
@Eli
And what is your definition of social skills? Have you learned appropriate eye contact? Have you learned how to read body language? Are you often engaged in stimulating conversation, or are you exchanging that for clipped sentences and jargon? There is a difference between content and volume. "Texting" has increased the volume while decreasing the content. How is that improving social skills?
@Stacey T.
I completely agree! No matter what, "texting," e-mail, Weblogs, and Tweets are here to stay. However, I think preserving the language and the medium for which we (Americans) have fought so ardently should be a priority, if not a requirement for parents and teachers. How many adults today cannot construct a simple sentence that is grammatically sound? Imagine what that percentage will be in five or ten years. I send e-mail and text messages; I post Weblogs and Tweets, but I still write letters, recommendations, and pen-and-paper journal entries. I think finding a balance in our own lives and teaching and encouraging that with our youth is essential as well.
Thanks for the comments everyone. See you here again tomorrow!
When I was a teen back in the day(60's),I could hardly wait for a pink princes phone connection in my bed room.
I had a time limit and mom often came in and said enough.In those days we had un limted and limited lines. Calling grandma was ok ,but dad in NYC was long distance.
Well teens are teens. Texting is a bit much and I do it also as to not to bother my friends at work with a call. ITs fun.
for breaking his phone curfew and he now I have seen a different person he sits with us for dinner he talks to us during dinner and also participates in family activities. Taking his phone was the best thing I could have done. He has been using the house phone and I have decided that he only gets his phone on the weekends unttil school ends and when school ends he will have designated times to have his cell phone. I explained to him how I enjoyed having my son back and he understood that we just wanted him to spend time with us and how important it is to spend quality time with family and he could not do that if he was texting all day long, he had 10,000 text for 1 month. He is a honor student but there are more productive things he could be doing like focusing on acing his ACT test. Texting definitely takes away from the important things in life.
Myra- He's averaging nearly 300 texts a day? I think it's time to take the phone. Maybe charge him $.10 per text to get his attention and he'll cut back.
What happen to the old days when we would pick up a telephone and leave a message on some ones answering machine!!!
Maybe im old but im in my mid thirties call me old fashioned but i dont see the point of texting if your home.
I never text i think i sent maybe 3 texts and ive had a cell phone for years.
the problem wit htexting is ,it makes our children anti social and then they are not productive anymore with anything else in life so they fail there grades fall and they have less friends ,but they sent 6000 test messages.
text messaging is really going backwards to email it is essential the same thing your emailing someone on there phone while your on the go .
So better yet go home and text message all your friends on your computer then shut down.
the only reason i can see a reason to send a text is when your maybe at a library a movie someone is giving a speech a church and you need to tell someone something very important then yeah but to just spend hours texting ,well i hope your parents are paying the bill and your aware of you can get cancer using your phones then go ahead.
Israel is not a terrorist state but a state being terrorized!
A social lifeline? How did we survive 20 years ago? Way too much texting and cell phone use! Conversations held on a phone with a 3 foot cord greatly reduces the opportunity to get into mischief or harass and bully classmates. We have a "floating" cell phone with no texting ability which I hand out when they will be in a situation where they need to contact me for a ride or to coordinate our activities. It's then turned back in to me until needed again. Parents have gotten too lazy. It's not that kids text too much... it's that parents allow it!
Yes for a short time flights delayed, Now Mount St Helens blew up, this one is smoldering and shooting ahse clouds watch out!!!
Tv, video games, texting, all the same thing just different time, different people, TV turned to video games and now texting, on an on we go!! Everyone it will be ok!!!
My children text almost exclusively among their friends. However I told them that as long as I was paying their cell phone bill, that if I called they had better answer the phone. I let them know that I had NO problem whatever cutting off their service.
I now have a phone with a QWERTY keyboard and enjoy texting them. But they still know if I call, they had better "Pick up the Phone" 🙂
I have 2 teenage sons who do not have a cell phone. I've been a stay at home mom since they were born and just haven't felt that they "need" one yet. Plus it is not financially feasible. I hope that they will not be ruined not having a cell phone.
Regardless of where our language will be in the future, proper English is still used in today's business world. All one needs to do is peek at the questions on Yahoo Answers to get a grasp on what texting is doing to the American youth. It's a disgrace to witness the spelling, sentence structure and loss of train-of-thought exhibited in a GOOD portion of the posted questions
If parents are willing to spend the money on the phone, pay the small amount for parental controls. Of course, you can discuss the time limits placed on the phone with your child but if you pay for the phone, you make the rules. I was amazed to find out that administrators at my child's middle school were unaware that these control features exist. Personally, I would include this type of information in newsletters sent home to parents especially at the beginning of the school year when rules are reviewed.
As many are expressing, we have lost a certain sense of nostalgia with the technological craze. Who knows how to write a thank you letter anymore? What about the giants of literature? Do we really know how to laugh out loud, or are we too busy "wting 4 sumthing funy 2 hapn?"
I am a high school senior(with a 4.5 from this past semester, sending over 3000 messages per month).
"It's the new nicotine," was said on the show. Oh, please. You managed to go that entire segment without showing conclusive data that texting is necessarily bad. Students can get plenty of sleep and do their homework and still send over 3,000 messages per month. Texting offers a level of socialization that has never been seen before and kids are able to gain social skills far faster than they could without it.
The solution is quite easy: my teens do not have cell phones and they are not even missing that. The whole thing got out of control and it is quite ridiculous to see teens with no income having a car, a cell phone, a credit card... Parents with no parental skills or aspirations are just buying out their comfort instead of creating concrete family relationships where communication develops. No wonder that kids find their share of communication through texting and other means: it becomes a way of being visible.
At least you guys don't have to pay for texting. In Barbados we do, and that in itself limits the use of texting. We get a 100 texts free for each month, then after that, it is US 5cents per texts. Maybe you guys should do like us here, and ban all cell phones from schools.
Volcano Question – Was U.S. and/or Canadian airspace effected (shutdown) at anytime due to the 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption?
As the parent of 3 teenagers (college freshman and 2 H.S. students), we have experienced the movement from frequent cell phone calls to frequent cell phone texting. We have, on occasion, had "a cell phone basket" in which cell phones had to be placed in the evening to allow homework to be completed. My teens have never considered bringing a phone to the table at meal time merely because we have set that expectation. I have learned that texting during the evening is used to collaborate on homework and is often a notification to get online and further the collaborative effort. Purchasing a phone plan with limited text and/or minutes, forces my teens to be judicious with their phone use regardless of the format.
@ Ralphy... You talk out of both sides of your mouth and make very little sense out of either one.
If you believed in the Consitution then you'd realize that there isn't much in this world that is more corrupt than American politics.
Volcan Question – Was U.S. and/or Canadian airspace effected (shutdown) at anytime due to the 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption?
Regarding texting too much: I'm surprised we are not comparing ourselves to the texting experience in England. They have had this problem for many more years than we have. I remember seeing teens texting all around London seven or eight years ago.
If my kid didn't answer my phone calls and only my texts, their cell phone would immediately cease to exist and they would just have to stay at home. Think about it, they could be doing anything that you wouldn't know about while communicating via text, but a phone call can be more telling. Parents need to get a grip.
In my home, cell phones are privileges *earned* with grades and not a right. A's and B's earn the cell phone. Once earned, the recharger is kept in my room, or the kitchen so that when it's "lights out" or curfew time on the phone, it's not in my teen's room as a distraction.
Too many American parents act as though they are at the mercy of their children's demands.
OMG – Why do you just assume that everyone translates OMG into Oh My God?? That is using God's name in vain. Your creator your heavenly father. Your final judge. OMG = Oh My Gosh.
When I was growing up you would of NEVER heard anyone say Oh My God on tv or in Public!
"The Consequences of Texting Too Much?"
Seriously? This is news?
Is there nothing else going on in the world?
I am embarrassed to say that my 16 year old son texts an average of 8000 to 9000 a month! I have accused him of being addicted. He thinks I'm being unreasonable to expect him not to text during the night!
I just read a heart wrenching story where a child who was being held hostage in a school a few years ago – she was actually able to send a text to her parents telling them she loved them – just before she was killed
I don't wish that circumstance on anyone – but I know those parents are thankful for texting
Not a bad idea but who are you kidding by thinking parents would join forces and start a community time to stop their children from using their cells? Wasn't there a kid in California who actually won money for sending the most texts ever, or something along those lines? Kinda silly don't you think.
Good morning.. I have a 17 n a 16 year old, I foud them sleeping with their phones and texting till late @ night. What I did was to pay for at&t Smart Limits it alows me to set restrictions on their phones. My restrictions r they can tex till 10pm the I alow them to tex their friends while on the bus on their way to school then they r blocked till 3pm when they get out. Do they like it NO but it's our rules.
Cell phones produce Microwaves that can cause cancer. Why would i want to put that in my pants pocket? No thank you, im unplugged and i wish other teens would as well!!! kids don't even know how to talk to each other anymore. Can anyone say mind control?
@melon...
I have a question for you........ Do you know anything about politics or do you just like to talk about something you know nothing about? Me? No I don't know everything about politics but I am learning everyday...and I do care about everyone even people that hate me...I am very proud to be an American and I believe in the way the Constitution should be... what do you believe in?
Have you seen the size of these blogs?? And your asking if the teens are texting to much huh? I'm sure by the size of the page, the children have learned well!!! Text on!!!!
Who has time to sit around and text message, is it the same people that will end up being totally dependent on the govt and that check every mouth because they have no work ethic being tault to them anymore, and would rather text message or sex message instead of finding a job and contributing to society.
I have two children, ages 16 and 17, who have cell phones. I have blocked texting – it only takes a few seconds to do. Of course they complain but I know that they are not texting under their desk at school, while driving, crossing the street, etc..If every parent banned texting before age 18/graduation from high school, I think society would be better off. Remember, if there is an emergency he/she can always call. Is texting really necessary??
Well then Ralphy by your own "definition" those that are stranded should help themselves.
See how that works now?
And I hope the gov does help....the people that live have more to worry about then we do... they have to survive...and need some relief when this is over...I will be happy to help them in any way I can...And I hope that others will do the same.....only those who are selfish need not worry about it!
Sorry good ol' boy – I don't need some racist "praying" for me – that can only result in bad luck.
Younger generation?...lol... that's not even worth a comment.
The last sentence was not meant for you....but I will say one thing...the gov didn't buy your home you did..help "yourself" get out of "your" debt "you" made....see how it works now?.....also, I will write my messages how I see fit...you need to learn how to read.....now....the eruption hurt alot of people mainly the people that live there...I feel we need to help everyone caught in the cross-fire of the eruption...to say that they should do things themselves is selfish and very unamerican...
Parents have to be bold and take the initiative. Disable texting and data off their children's phone. I have done it and believe me, it does not hurt, it will save them. If they want to communicate with their friends, they can call them.
melon, I will pray for you today, you are truly lost and mixed up just like 80% of the younger generations.
I hold the perspective that communicating with others is positive. All too often relationships breakdown because of a lack of communications and the understanding that comes through staying connected to others. I applaud our youth for keeping the lines of communication open and their readiness to interact on a human to human level at all times. There are many that would agree we are experiencing difficult times. Because of my ability to be of value to another person’s life my life has meaning. Take away my ability to contribute of myself to another and all I have are inanimate objects that are incapable of loving me or feeling my love. In this world, there is a balance for everything and it is our duty to learn what it is. Sensationalism laced with doom and gloom may sell products but positive attitudes and outlooks create repeat business.
Teen texting? Green Day on Broadway? Tobacco candy? Seriously?
CNN, please, track down some real news for the morning. When was the last time we heard in-depth reports from Afghanistan, Iraq? Goldman Sachs has robbed the middle class blind, how about some reporting on administration connections to the firm? Catholic Church is collapsing, Mexico is melting down and Israel-Iran may be leading to another Middle East conflict.
You are CNN for god's sake.
I know we're not dealing with heavyweights on the news desk here, but can we not get some actual news from around the country and world.
If I want Today Show fluff, I would watch the Today Show. I wath CNN for news. Well, at least I did when they covered news at one time.
OMG! IDK what 2 do about my teens' texting habits! I did finally resort to paying the $4.99 charge for parent controls on their cell phones, and now we sit down together once a week to go over their texts online. My 2 teens feel less like I am invading their privacy and more like I am respecting their relationships by sitting down WITH them to look at their texting. They also decided together that txting can be shut off during school hours and after 9:30pm – times they chose after I asked them what they thought were reasonable limits (as this coincides with bedtime, too I'm okay with that) and they have the added bonus of telling their friends what a harsh mom I am b/c I won't let them have texting during school hours. They can still text or call me, their dads, their grandparents and 911, just not all the pals. The friends also know they can't text each other while sitting in my living room after school – they actually need to verbally communicate when in the same room (something that started to become an issue this past fall when all the kids got cells). AND my kids pay me for the priveledge of texting – spending their own money on their cell and texting makes them much, much more responsible about using the cell and texting.
BTW – I remember my parents limiting the amount of time I spent on the phone as a teen as well. It IS our responsiblility and our joy as parents to teach our children how to develop reasonable limits. Foisting that job off on an ephemeral "they" or "the system" or our country's educators is just plain wrong.
im 13 and i dont text (right now but want to) parents should set limts but they dont because there kids will be mad at them and thats what they are afraid of there kids hating them. i have 53 of my friends use facebook mobile. if you were to pay enough attion in my school almost half of the 7th grade classes kids are textin each other. if you are cought texting u get your phone takken and your parent has to go up to the school and pay $15 to get it back and you get a detention.
Don't give your kid a cell phone until he or she gets a driver's license or is otherwise out on their own for the majority of the day. Get them the most basic plan and make them pay the bill if it exceeds the base monthly price.
I don't text, i don't ever want to text. If i need to talk to someone i call them. To many kids my age have relationships with their cell phone and i think it's disgusting.
The easy way to fix this is with a pre-paid cell phone. When you kid runs out of money on the first day and they don't get to recharge the phone for 29 more days they learn quick.
Please visit LGTextEd.com. Great site to talk about texting, the potential dangers of it and a solution! LGTextEd.com
As a smoker of almost ten years, i am excited to hear about camel's "candy" nicotine products. The patch and the gum are ridiculously expensive and this might be a reasonable answer.
Parents need to focus on keeping their medicine cabinets safe and not limiting the innovation of the tobacco industry.
Hi
Texting for kids is like some drug, they're so addicted to it! I don't agree in Parents getting together to solve the problem. I think the Industry who allows the texting should simply shut the ability off at a certain time in the evening – turning it back on in the morning!
we have to remember it is not our teens fault that they text to much. It was not to long ago when we were talking about 1,000 dollars phone bills due to teens talking too much and most phone companies had plans that offer unlimited text. So we encouraged our kids to use text messaging so that we parents didn't have to pay crazy monthly bills!1
While your brain can become addicted to anything you find pleasurable, I feel the main reason teens text so much is due to the modern social construct amongst teenagers, not some sort of technological "addiction"...just my 2 cents.
The way I deal with texting with my 15, 12, & 9 year old is using and paying for something called Family Allowances with my cell phone carrier. I can block or allow times of talking and texting. So I block texting during school hours and overnight. They can only receive texts and phone calls from the phones in our family plan. I can also decide how many minutes a month they use talking, although they do text more. It works well. 🙂
I refuse to get a crackberry or a highphone. My married daughter spends too much time updating her facebook page from her highphone.
Regardless of the legal consequences, I still see too many people texting while driving. I even saw a mother and daughter texting each other in the doctor's waiting room SITTING NEXT TO EACH OTHER. Forget about global warming – people are forgetting how to talk and read literature. The future humans will have special thumbs and no vocal cords.
I would so like to know what would happen if these eruptions occurred around Christmas time.
Try flying through this, Santa! Ain't no mutated-nose reindeer helping you here...HA!
Dave
PGH, PA.
I don't which is hotter, the magma, or the stranded passengers!!! Plzz everyone try to calm down!! Things could be a lot worst than they are, just wait until it explodes!!! You are not alone just stranded!!!
I think texting addiction is not necessarily a teen thing – it permeates all the way upto 40 years from even my 11 year old daughter. We gave our 11 year old her own phone last month. Three days later she had 157 text messages (fortunately we had her on a unlimited plan). @Work – I text my colleagues more than I call them now. It is actually business etiquette to text ahead of calling nowadays.
I have one of those "addicted to texting teens"!! She has lost her phone privileges on numerous occasions. As of today she has sent/received 6300 messages or the month.. only half way through the billing cycle. guess who doesn't have her phone??? lol
How about a cruise ship to take all these people to Europe. It would probably be the best publicity for a cruise line.!
Ralph.... Did the American taxpayer send those people to where they are stuck at?.. I don't think so. The American taxpayer didn't cause the eruption either. Maybe the Government should pay for all our vacations or maybe pay my mortage for me... I could use help with THAT.
And if your comment about the music was directed at me – you need to re-read the post where you got that at – or learn to paragraph when starting a new subject.
As a mother of a teen, I am definitely seeing diminishing interest with texting. Is it just my kid or it has something to do with the fleeting interest in just about for teens.
@melon....do you hate america or something? If you were stuck their you would appreciate the help, wouldn't you? But your not there, so you wouldn't know. I believe the gov should help because the people that went there didn't cause the eruption. AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE MUSIC GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!!!!!!!
The US doesn't need more gun laws. Wanna reduce crime in the US? Make it mandatory that all Americans own at least one gun. The crime rate would plummet like a rock on water.
@ Texting...
I believe teens(and pre-teens) are texting way too much. The parent need to regulate the use of Texting teens do. Make the teens pay the bill then they will see how much they are texting. Also, Texting while driving should stop also.
The report about texting is ridiculous. Why are doctors so concerned about teens being addicted to texting? I would much rather have teens addicted to talking to their friends than drugs or alcohol. It seems that these days teenagers cannot cut a break. If its not this, its that. Texting is not a health concern. It is a way for all people to socialize and keep in touch with friends in a much easier way. That is it.
Regarding the comment why the US government has not done more. My thought is why is the government responsibilty? We are all adults and should take care of ourselves. Depending on the government is silly. We are always ready to criticize but if we are in need, we want the government's help???? Just my thoughts.
David K:
Why do you think you're entitled to help? And even if you were, what could the govt do? Even the President couldn't fly into Poland for the funeral. If the airspace is too dangerous for flights, do you think it would be wise for the govt to send a bunch of planes for stranded Americans?
The best thing to do is wait it out. Just as Americans do in this country every winter. when they are delayed by blizzards. You will get home a lot quicker than if the Navy was sent to pick you up!!! Go to a pub & enjoy yourself!!! This will also pass!!!
Why should the US Government help those stranded by the volcano?.. Did the Government send them to where they are stranded at?
The US Military can kill all the Al Queda members they find and it still won't be enough – they'll keep getting replaced. Until the US Government policies change concerning how they treat the world at large there will be an endless supply of "terrorist". For starters get out of Iraq and quit blindly supporting the terrorist state of Israel. Is not the use of US military equipment by Israel to kill civilians as much an act of terrorism as a suicide bomber? US Government policies breeds terrorists.
PS don't change the music. It's a nice mix in the morning.
Why is the US Government doing nothing to help stranded US citizens like myself and my friends? The US Embassy here in London advises to call home for money and call the airlines for updates. That and 5 British pounds will buy me a cup of coffee. We are in serious need of help here, and yet nothing. Do we need to have a tsunami or earthquake for this to get the attention of public officials. If it was a US Senator stranded, I'm sure there would be an immediate response. John, PLEASE HELP
David Kudransky
Good Morning, CNN! Just wanted to say that when people are being protected from danger they think they are being prohibited! But if all those people were allowed to fly & they all crashed then it would be bad decision making on the aviation industry's part. My husband is a private pilot with friends in the aviation industry & I know too much to EVER take a risk in an airplane!
Sound off: Would you be willing to take the risk flying if you were stuck because of the volcano?
With my luck, no.
The odds look to be significantly less than 50-50 in favor of any flight being safe at this point. With my luck, the flight I would be on would be the only one to go down.
Nothing at all to do with your A.M. news stories but tuning in every morning and having to listen to the crappy music playing is just about losing me as a news follower on CNN. If you're trying to appeal to a younger audience your on your way. I'll soon be 50 and find the new tunes completely annoying. Please consider a change.
The airlines want to start flying again, and the regulators are cautious. Here in the US we have seen a number of examples where commercial interests have trumped safety when the airlines themselves are in charge. Lets look at the case if a plane had a major incident as a result of the ash - no plane would be allowed to fly within 1,000 miles, not only for safety but also to settle passenger perception. I applaud the cautious approach taken by the regulators.
Good Morning CNN!
Wonder what the volcano is going to costs the American taxpayer. Will the airlines get help from the Government?