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Young Americans connecting via information superhighway rather than real highways

Pocono Record -- The days of teens yearning to get behind the wheel may be on the wane as online social networking replaces cars as the technological focal point for young adults.

Recent research shows that a shrinking percentage of young Americans are getting their driver's licenses, and that a smaller proportion of cars on the road are driven by teens and 20-somethings.

Meanwhile, members of this younger demographic say they are replacing car trips to see friends with online chat sessions, text messages and other social networking opportunities.

"It is possible that the availability of virtual contact through electronic means reduces the need for actual contact among young people," said Michael Sivak, a research professor at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. "Furthermore, s

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Submitted Apr 08, 2012 By: bar1035

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blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,695 Points:775,745 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 8:03:17 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse Yeah, when I was a teen in the 80's, getting a license was the thing. Now, not so much. I have a nephew who is 18 and just now got his license.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,625 Points:1,584,250 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 1:48:51 AM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse I can't blame teens who either do not want to drive and they drive less.
1momsunshine Champion Author Ottawa Posts:5,615 Points:1,026,020 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 12:46:48 AM Ignore 1momsunshine Report Abuse yep
granitestater Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:8,980 Points:1,458,450 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 9, 2012 12:17:41 AM Ignore granitestater Report Abuse What's the gas mileage on the information superhighway?
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,235 Points:824,100 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:15:02 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse Wow! Online chat sessions, text messages and other social networking opportunities are replacing talking to real live people. Not for me.;
dsaine Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,155 Points:660,195 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 6:45:48 PM Ignore dsaine Report Abuse Ok.
leraar2 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,904 Points:815,380 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 6:42:09 PM Ignore leraar2 Report Abuse rather hard to "connect' in the back seat of a COMPUTER.
Bonanza Champion Author Boston Posts:12,254 Points:2,578,705 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 6:32:49 PM Ignore Bonanza Report Abuse Good! Less cars on the road
glorioussnookie Champion Author Tennessee Posts:3,761 Points:699,370 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 4:13:25 PM Ignore glorioussnookie Report Abuse VDubBill - I will admit I really laughed but you are so right!
dond Rookie Author Hawaii Posts:89 Points:191,045 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 2:58:26 PM Ignore dond Report Abuse Thats why the price of stamps go up...losing money because of email.
A2J Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,210 Points:629,675 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 1:43:28 PM Ignore A2J Report Abuse INDEED..,
CorvairHaven Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,470 Points:1,480,515 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 12:16:29 PM Ignore CorvairHaven Report Abuse We really need fuel economy in a large car. We don't need more gadgets that drive the car for you or entertain you.
boborobot All-Star Author Michigan Posts:503 Points:442,365 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 11:10:39 AM Ignore boborobot Report Abuse I rather speak to someone in person. [Edited by: boborobot at 4/8/2012 11:11:49 AM EST]
knutzAL Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,248 Points:372,680 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 10:13:31 AM Ignore knutzAL Report Abuse Ok!
VDubBill Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,765 Points:1,283,370 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:48:04 AM Ignore VDubBill Report Abuse Our generation had Jack Kerouac and "On the Road," this generation has "On the Phone."
esq262 Champion Author Asheville Posts:2,998 Points:674,540 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 9:19:00 AM Ignore esq262 Report Abuse Better not to have distracted teenagers on the road.
Yooperheart Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,565 Points:554,725 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:33:40 AM Ignore Yooperheart Report Abuse Good way to clear the streets of unwanted cruisers.
bullet226 Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,716 Points:534,915 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:10:06 AM Ignore bullet226 Report Abuse Seems to be the case
PimpinFoDaGaz Sophomore Author Massachusetts Posts:235 Points:40,725 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 8:00:55 AM Ignore PimpinFoDaGaz Report Abuse Tell that to my 14yr old already asking me if I'll give her my 2004 car in a few years.
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,210 Points:1,769,535 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 7:54:12 AM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse segragated by transportation poverty.....
pscamp Champion Author Ottawa Posts:3,524 Points:500,885 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 7:44:40 AM Ignore pscamp Report Abuse Just don't do both at the same time!
Luckylindy Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:4,655 Points:1,154,770 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 7:41:58 AM Ignore Luckylindy Report Abuse Certainly cheaper.
07skydriver Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,379 Points:1,010,280 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 7:38:40 AM Ignore 07skydriver Report Abuse Just stay home.
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,586 Points:558,555 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 7:17:22 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Old news, still haven't seen it and don't believe it!
jwalkerh Champion Author Louisiana Posts:6,197 Points:1,377,430 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 6:17:03 AM Ignore jwalkerh Report Abuse Ok...
dr047 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,731 Points:543,420 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 6:16:23 AM Ignore dr047 Report Abuse No reason to leave the nest?
paoli8 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:7,181 Points:1,844,945 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 6:02:05 AM Ignore paoli8 Report Abuse OK
downstream Champion Author Little Rock Posts:1,137 Points:1,417,625 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 6:00:51 AM Ignore downstream Report Abuse nothing disturbing at all...
gravityhurts Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,234 Points:965,205 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:51:50 AM Ignore gravityhurts Report Abuse Somewhat disturbing story.
Boo1989 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,291 Points:1,371,420 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:51:41 AM Ignore Boo1989 Report Abuse Had to repost this from another user: Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.
ds531 Champion Author Texas Posts:3,022 Points:620,430 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:50:18 AM Ignore ds531 Report Abuse We still need physical connections.
BazooQC Champion Author Montreal Posts:9,846 Points:1,663,175 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:45:53 AM Ignore BazooQC Report Abuse My 2 boys have their own cars, but drive their computer more often than spending gas.
FieroGT Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,464 Points:2,530,810 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:44:52 AM Ignore FieroGT Report Abuse As long as the Young Americans don't mix the information highway with real highways.
LogansGasPrices Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,644 Points:1,061,265 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:44:37 AM Ignore LogansGasPrices Report Abuse Happy Easter
DrivingFool2 Champion Author Appleton Posts:8,727 Points:1,633,565 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:44:24 AM Ignore DrivingFool2 Report Abuse What's this face to face talk about, could it be a new fad
BigDogOH Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,643 Points:1,835,520 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:43:55 AM Ignore BigDogOH Report Abuse Changing world
ChristinaCricke Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,885 Points:795,275 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:42:22 AM Ignore ChristinaCricke Report Abuse Long term...people will need physical connections.
jimraehl Champion Author Utah Posts:7,204 Points:1,664,290 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:36:43 AM Ignore jimraehl Report Abuse Actual contact is still the best way to go.
TommyTraveler Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:8,819 Points:1,726,005 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:36:04 AM Ignore TommyTraveler Report Abuse Cheaper then gas and wear and tear on cars.
harleydoctor Champion Author Kansas Posts:7,485 Points:1,956,285 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:34:28 AM Ignore harleydoctor Report Abuse Good, I feel a lot better without the texting while driving little tards are off the roads.......
bikechuck Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:7,153 Points:2,090,820 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:31:20 AM Ignore bikechuck Report Abuse We will find out whether this is a good trend or not, social interaction is generally a good thing if used in a positive manner. Adult supervision is still key.
Gherk Champion Author Louisville Posts:1,866 Points:440,310 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:31:15 AM Ignore Gherk Report Abuse Not in my town.
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:3,107 Points:708,765 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:27:42 AM Ignore jrschl Report Abuse You'd think will all the chatting and texting that spelling and grammar would be improving.
Petrock Champion Author Lexington Posts:9,263 Points:2,585,460 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:27:09 AM Ignore Petrock Report Abuse I suspect the trend to "a smaller proportion of cars on the road are driven by teens and 20-somethings" relates more to population demographics, not to teens not getting licenses when they are old enough.
nurdco Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:9,382 Points:1,722,110 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:26:46 AM Ignore nurdco Report Abuse Its the Brutal Auto insurance system....
JamesCalvin Champion Author Lancaster Posts:3,344 Points:547,255 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:26:07 AM Ignore JamesCalvin Report Abuse Cheaper than gas!
spotterFL Champion Author Florida Posts:4,269 Points:547,065 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:21:32 AM Ignore spotterFL Report Abuse I detect a growing trend of reduced new births in the future........you can't procreate over the internet! Robots Unite! Take over the World! Down with Humans!
neptune2008 Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,711 Points:1,697,200 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:20:13 AM Ignore neptune2008 Report Abuse only affordable alternative
VetteBlue Champion Author San Jose Posts:8,023 Points:1,612,720 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:19:56 AM Ignore VetteBlue Report Abuse Cheaper too.
Quick68 Champion Author Columbus Posts:8,448 Points:1,253,500 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Apr 8, 2012 5:18:47 AM Ignore Quick68 Report Abuse How can a young person afford a car when their is no jobs for them?