Mullendore: Cell phone is umbilical cord for helicopter parents

The rise of the cell phone is also seen as a contributing factor to helicopter parenting. College of Education professor Richard Mullendore called it "the world's longest umbilical cord" in a June 24 _Effingham Herald_story. Mullendore, is a professor in the student affairs administration program in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services.

Mullendore was also quoted in a July 10 report on KTAR-FM radio station in Phoenix, Arizona.