A new study has shown that college students, predominantly women, who carry cell phones are likely to take more risks with their safety.
Washington, Mar 4 : A new study has shown that college students, predominantly women, who carry cell phones are likely to take more risks with their safety.
The survey involving 305 students at a US campus revealed that the students carrying cell phones were more likely to take risky walks at night.
Out of them, 40 percent of the respondents agreed that they walked somewhere after dark that they normally wouldn't go.
Another survey revealed that three-quarters of students including women, said that carrying a cell phone while walking alone at night made them feel somewhat or a lot safer.
"Students seem to feel less vulnerable when they carry a cell phone, although there's no evidence that they really are," said Jack Nasar, co-author of the study and professor of city and regional planning at Ohio State University.
"If anything, they are probably less safe because they are paying less attention to their surroundings," he added.
The study was conducted through online or phone interviews with randomly selected students at Ohio State.
The results showed that women felt safer while carrying a cell phone than male students as a result they would be willing to walk somewhere after dark that they would normally not go (42 percent of women vs. 28 percent of men).
"Especially for women, cell phones offer a sense of security that may make them more willing to put themselves in risky situations," said Nasar.
Another study revealed that 48 per cent of cell phone users crossed a busy road in front of approaching cars.
"Students need to be aware of their surroundings when they're out using their cell phone," he said.
"In some cases, walking with a cell phone might make them vulnerable, either to crime or to an accident," he added.
The study is published in a recent issue of the International Journal of Urban and Regional Research.
ANI
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