Do As I Say, Not As I Text!

SAN DIEGO, July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Providing new insight into the complexities of contemporary parenting, the "LG Text Ed Survey," conducted by TRU Research and sponsored by LG Mobile Phones, found that 28 percent of parents admitted to some form of sexting, the highest percentage ever reported, and 44 percent of parents admitted to texting and driving.

The LG Text Ed Survey is a national snapshot of texting behaviors among 13 to 17 year olds and parents of 13 to 17 year olds. The study was conducted online within the United States among 1,017 teens and 1,049 parents of teens. LG research revealed that parents are exhibiting a new level of texting mastery. In fact, 75 percent of parents surveyed consider themselves "texters" and 86 percent of those texters claim to have used the medium to communicate with their teens. The survey also shows how texting brings families closer. The data revealed that 90 percent of texting parents felt closer to their teen as a result of the medium.

While the survey found that adults are more comfortable than ever using texting, very few believe their children engage in harmful texting behaviors. In fact, 53 percent of all parents surveyed feel they are "very informed" about the full extent of negative texting habits—such as sexting and texting while driving. Yet, the survey found that parents continue engaging in these questionable texting behaviors and are unaware of their teen's mobile phone misuse.

Key Survey Findings

Do as I say, not as I text: Data from the LG Text Ed survey exposed parents participating in the following mobile misuse behavior:

• 28 percent of parents admit to engaging in some form of "sexting" and 43 percent of teens admit to doing the same.
• Almost half of all parents and teens surveyed admit to texting and driving.
• 42 percent of parents admit to texting someone while at the dinner table; whereas 69 percent of teens admit to texting at the dinner table.
• 38 percent of parents admit to texting during the middle of the night; whereas, 83 percent of teens admit to texting during those hours.

The parent-teen gap: Additionally, the LG Text Ed survey revealed that many parents are unaware of teen mobile phone misuse. Of those surveyed:

• 45 percent of teens admit to texting and driving. And only 4 percent of parents believe their teens ever text while driving.
• 43 percent of teens admit to putting someone down or insulting them in a text, while only 10 percent of parents believe their teens had ever participated in this type of hurtful behavior.
• 41 percent of teens admit to sending, receiving, or forwarding a text that said something sexual, while only 11 percent of parents thought their teens had ever sexted.
• 52 percent of teens admit to checking someone else's texts or having had their texts checked by someone without permission, while only 8 percent of parents thought their teens had ever participated in this behavior.

Texting = closer families: The LG research also revealed an encouraging fact about life in the digital age. Results showed that the simple act of communicating over teens' preferred medium of communication, texting, facilitated a closer relationship between parent and child. The survey found:

• 90 percent of texting parents felt closer to their teen as a result of the medium.
• 42 percent of parents said that texting increased the frequency of communication between parent and teen.
• 58 percent of teens said being able to text their parents made them feel closer.
• 83 percent of teens prefer their parents check in with them via text.
• 68 percent of all texting parents agree that communicating via text makes them more comfortable when their teen is out.

The LG survey provides additional proof that texting while driving, text rage, mobile bullying and sexting are dangerous realities of the teen-texting world. To help parents address the risks of mobile phone misuse among teens, and how their own behavior could impact their children, LG Mobile Phones launched a comprehensive initiative called LG Text Ed. The program features an advisory council of experts who offer advice on everything from sexting and mobile bullying to proper mobile phone etiquette and texting while driving.

"The 'do as I say, not as I do' approach to child-rearing doesn't cut it, especially with teenagers," said Dr. Charles Sophy, LG Text Ed advisory council member and respected child and family psychiatrist. "Kids are extremely observant. All it takes is one exception to the rule and they will latch onto it, thus negating much of your hard work. Texting is a powerful tool that, when used properly and responsibly, can provide many positive benefits including opening the lines of communication and facilitating closer relationships. And it's one more way for parents to model appropriate behavior to their children."

Through the LG Text Ed website, www.lgtexted.com, parents can educate themselves on the dangers of mobile phone misuse, discover strategies they can employ to help protect their children from a multitude of potential problems and learn how to become positive role models of texting behavior. Other LG Text Ed Advisory Council members include best-selling author of Queen Bees and Wannabees (the basis for the 2004 hit film, Mean Girls) Rosalind Wiseman, and Dr. Joel Haber, a clinical psychologist and bully coach, and author of Bullyproof Your Child for Life. The advisory council produces monthly online articles, tips and videos via lgtexted.com. Parents can find additional information on the LG Text Ed initiative and mobile phone misuse by visiting the site.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company

LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communication and information company. LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world with its cutting-edge technology and innovative handset design capabilities. Increasingly, LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products. LG will continue to take leadership in the mobile communication environment with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lgmobilephones.com.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 80,000 people working in more than 115 operations including 84 subsidiaries around the world. With 2009 global sales of USD43.4 billion, LG is comprised of five business units –- Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is the world's leading producer of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula One™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lgusa.com.

SOURCE LG Electronic MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones)