Usage behaviours of mobile phone among teenagers and its implications to teenagers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

The mobile phone has become a regular feature in the Malaysian society. Besides making calls, mobile phones are used to send text messages, listen to music, play games, take photographs, surf the net, etc. For teenagers in particular, the mobile phone is an indispensable thing that must be bring along all the time. From the point of view of parents, mobile phone is a means for them to be able to keep in touch with their children when their children move away from their parental home. But, schools and educational settings reported that mobile phones have caused lots of discipline issues in schools and mobile phones should be banned in schools. A survey was conducted to explore the usage behaviours of mobile phone among teenagers and its implications to teenagers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The data were collected through survey questionnaires filled by 512 teenagers, aged between 13-18 years old in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The findings revealed that misuse of mobile phone will lead to negative consequences to teenagers. The study recommends a provision of guidance and counselling services to teenagers on the use of mobile phone.