Photo courtesy of Mobiledia.

Homeless teenagers value having a cellphone as much as having food or drugs, according to a study from the USC School of Social Work.

The study raises the potential use of mobile technology to communicate with this vulnerable group and provide them with services, researchers said. In fact, social service agencies should offer homeless teens help in getting cellphones and paying cellphone bills, they said.

“It is a relatively easy structural way to get them off the streets,” said Eric Rice, lead author of the study.

The study was published in the December issue of the Journal of Urban Health. You can also click here to read an article about the study at Mobiledia.

To learn more about the valuable services social workers provide people from all walks of life, visit the National Association of Social Workers “Help Starts Here” consumer Website by clicking here.