Cell Phones and Your Teens…Did you know?

You can have your cell phone carrier allow only certain phone numbers to be called and received on your teen’s phone?  These can be limited to your number, and other emergency numbers until they earn back the trust you expect.  You can reward them with one added, trusted friend at a time, with your permission. 

And, by the way, you can let them know that the privilege of having a phone includes their agreement to answer or call you right back when you call or text 80% of the time. Remember who is paying for the phone, the bill, the texting, data plan, etc.  Parents have successfully raised and protected kids without the help of cell-phones for millenniums! 

Also, be a good model.  

Use only hands free cell phones when in the car, and only when absolutely necessary.  

When you are with your kids in car, be with them, not on the phone.  (Many of us have struggled with this one) Don’t miss a golden opportunity for interaction and conversation.

Do not text or call your kids at school unless it is an emergency.  Remember that they get a message and that means you are prompting them to use their phone at school and maybe even interrupting their class.