By: Ryan Daggs

Before the end of the school year, seventh-graders at Sweetwater Jr. High were surveyed on their cell phone usage. The 15-question survey asked the students a variety of questions about cell phones, including why they use their phones, what kind of phone they have, and if they use them at school. 

Of the 30 students surveyed, 20 said that they have a cell phone, and 10 did not. For those that do have a cell phone, most students answered they use it for emergencies, to call family and friends, and to text. Six of the 20 students who have a phone bought a Verizon Wireless LG Chocolate. Of the other carriers and phones that were purchased ranged from U.S. Cellular flip phones to pre-paid devices. 

Nearly all of the students sent text messages to each other, some as much as 200 a day. More than half of the student’s phones have a camera feature and most of them use their phone as often as every day. When asked if they used their cell phones at school, most of the students answered no. Those who did use theirs at school, however, used it either for an emergency or to contact their parents. Surprisingly, more than half of the students who have a cell phone have also used them for emergencies in the past. 

Another question the survey asked the students was who calls them the most and whom do they call the most. They were given a choice between relatives and friends for each of the two questions. Out of the 20 students who have a cell phone, friends called 13 students the most, and relatives called seven students the most. Nine students called their relatives the most, and 11 called friends more. 

Also, 9-12 years old was the range of ages when the students received their first cell phone, and it was mostly both the parents and students’ ideas for them to buy a phone. 

The 10 students who did not have a cell phone at the time of the survey were asked why they did not have one. Nearly every student answered that it was too much money. They were also asked that if they did have the opportunity to buy a phone, what would it have on it? A student answered that they would have friends numbers in order to call and text them, and pictures.

Ryan Daggs is an incoming freshman at Sweetwater High School. Sweetwater Jr. High student Megan Monroe conducted the survey of a homeroom class at the school.