College Students Admit To Digital Distractions

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - College kids are supposed to be smart; but some research shows otherwise.

According to a Huffington Post article by Tyler Kingkade, in findings from Kings College, PA, 4 out of 5 students admit sending text messages while driving. And those in San Diego University in California, text while driving on the freeway.

Sending or receiving a text diverts the eye for an average of 4.7 seconds. A test from Car and Driver magazine showed drivers took far longer to react and hit the brakes when sending a text compared to being legally drunk. In 39 states, texting while driving is banned.

Also reported by Kingkade, students check their cell phones 11 times a day in class. From the data on a study of 777 students, participants believed smart phones, tablets and laptops interfere with instruction, but none thought it was a big distraction.

Ninety-one percent opposed a ban on digital devices in class. They think they're all part of their lives.