More parents are looking to cellphones to help keep their children safe. But mom and dad should be careful: Kids who talk on a cellphone may be more likely to step into traffic. Children should learn to end phone conversations before they prepare to step into traffic. While research shows that older kids and more experienced users also don’t navigate(穿行于) streets as well while on a cellphone, younger children tends to find the small tools more distracting(令人分心的). “Kids of this age are just learning to cross the street on their own, ”says David-Schwebel, a co-author of the study. “They’re beginners. ” Kids don’t need to be stopped from chatting on the phone when outside, however. Instead, parents simply should instruct them to finish their conversations before crossing the street. “I don’t think this means parents should take phones away from their kids, ”says Schwebel. “I encourage families to get cellphones for their children. They’re more helpful than harmful, if they’re used in a safe way. ” Other distractions, such as conversations with friends, listening to music, and text messaging, may also cause problems for children in this age group. The researchers expect to study the effect of those types of distractions in the future. Experts in child safety approved the cellphone study. “If you’re talking on a cellphone, you’re not paying much attention to the environment around you, ” says Susan Baker, a professor. Brooke Carlson, a 44-year-old mom, has noticed how riveted her 9-year-old son is when he’s talking on the cellphone. Although she’d never thought of the dangers of crossing traffic while on the phone, Carlson says, “Now that I know about it, it makes total sense. ”She plans to have a chat with her child about cellphones and street safety. For younger kids, parents might consider purchasing a phone with a plan that only allows the child to call up his or her parents. That way the cellphone can be used for emergencies, but not for chatting with friends for hours. 小题1:In Schwebel’s opinion, _____ .
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