FCC's Generation Mobile forum focuses on teens and mobile phone use, praises net neutrality

The Federal Communications Commission held the Generation Mobile forum with focus on teens and expanding use of mobile technology, but the FCC chairman also underlined the importance of preserving net neutrality and not imposing any restrictions on Internet freedom. The vote on net neutrality is expected on December 21st, and could change a lot in the way we use technology.

The commission's own Julius Genachowski was hopeful about the upcoming legislation:

“...It’s essential that we move forward next week to adopt the first enforceable rules of the road to protect Internet freedom -- and why I’m so pleased to have broad support for the effort from across the spectrum, including the tech community, leading venture and other investors, carriers, labor, and civil rights organizations.”

Back to the Generation Mobile forum's main topic, Genachowski stressed on issues such as responsible mobile phone use by teens. Genachowski pointed out that some eighty per cent of fatal teen car accidents were caused by distracted driving. The commission's chairman added that mobile phone ownership among teens has increased by 68 per cent in the last five years. Cyberbullying and offensive texting were all in the topics discussed on the forum. The effort to inform parents and bring awareness to children was backed up by award-winning actress Jane Lynch.

It comes as no surprise that more focus is put on the misuse of cell phones – statistics show that a teen sends a text message every 14 minutes and we have seen some research claiming hypertexting is ever so common.

source: FCC