Scott Frank of Case Western Reserve, who led the study said, The startling results of this study suggest that when left unchecked, texting and other widely popular methods of staying connected can have dangerous health effects on teenagers This should be a wake-up call for parents to not only help their children stay safe by not texting and driving, but by discouraging excessive use of the cell phone or social web sites in general. He presented the study findings at the 138th annual meeting and exposition of the American Public Health Association in Denver.

Dr Catriona Morrison, Senior Lecturer in Experimental Psychology at Leeds University, UK speaking on the study said, There seems to be a small but important subgroup of people for whom internet use is unhealthy, pathological and it doesn ™t enhance their lifeIt appears very similar to gambling but it ™s a competitive behaviour that has features very similar to other addictions.