Teens send 3,330 texts per month

A new study shows that if you think your teen is sending thousands of texts a month, you’re probably right.

The good news? They are on the phone less.

The Nielsen Co . analyzed mobile usage data among U.S. teens during the second quarter of 2010 and found that on average teens are sending or receiving 3,330 texts a month.

That would equal more than six per hour for every hour they are awake, an 8 percent jump over 2009.

Teen females ages 13-17 have the lead, sending and receiving an average of 4,050 texts per month. Teen males send and receive 2,539 texts.

Young adults, ages 18-24, trade about 1,630 texts per month.

Mashable reported that while texting numbers drop off increasingly in later age brackets, everyone is texting more.

According to the study, texting is the number one reason why teens get cell phones, followed by safety and keeping in touch with friends.

Texting is also pushing aside voice calls, which have dropped by about 14 percent among teens and is on the decrease in all age groups under 55.

The blog ModernMom suggests there are dangers if your child is among those who text excessively. Parents should be aware of problems including a lack of sleep, underdeveloped communication skills and texting while driving.

Another danger is that parents are not always knowledgeable about texting or to the abbreviations used. While many know “LOL” or “BRB,” parents should be on the watch for certain phrases that have a hidden meaning.

BlogHer writes that “kicking it” could mean having sex, while “quarter pounder with cheese” could also refer to marijuana. “KPC” means “keeping parents clueless.”

Also according to the blog, 41 percent of teens surveyed admitted to sending, receiving or forwarding a text that said something sexual.

Only 11 percent of parents had an idea their child was involved in such behavior