UCI Study – Give kids smartphones and text message them when they feel they are in a situation with potential drugs or alcohol involved

The age group for this test is 10 –13. I’m not sure I actually understand how the entire process will work, but for one, they get an upgrade from a regular phone to a Smartphone. Back on the topic, I’m guessing the device is going to follow them around through GPS and send messages to the kids when they are in a restaurant with a bar, or something of the sort, could even be a sporting event I am guessing. One daily message will be sent to each phone every day. BD

UC Irvine says it will give smartphones to 200 youngsters in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa so it can text message the kids and study how and when they get into situations where they’re exposed to drugs and alcohol.

“Using cell phones to follow kids in real time, (psychologist Candice) Odgers will determine settings in which they’re most likely to encounter these substances, and help officials develop more effective intervention programs and public health policies,” UCI says in a news release.

UCI to track youth drinking by texting kids - Sciencedude - OCRegister.com