Teen phone usage

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2007
Teen phone usage
11
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 10:53am

How do those of you who have teens handle their phone usage?

April

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 11:07am
Cancel her text message option. That is what I did when my son had over 3000 text messages to the tune of $130!!
Stephanie
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2004
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 11:14am

And cancel any options that use the internet for mailing pictures.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2007
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 11:16am

I guess I

April

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2007
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 11:16am

Well… if you are concerned with the texting, you can cancel that part of her plan.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2006
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 12:01pm

I totally agree with Moon on this one. When your daughter is back at your house, have a talk about your concerns with the text message lack of privacy. And that the text option is not something she can abuse, especially if it adds costs. We have a family plan and my X has the same plan. S19 texts a lot S 16 almost never. My X pays for S19's phone, I pay for S16's. I don't fool with their phones, their IM's and e-mail is open all the time, so they are aware I could read it and their My Space pages.I generally don't, but I can and they are aware I can.
I personally would not be offended if my boys sent a message to a friend griping about me. Kids have to be able to vent, too. I would tell them that they had to watch the language as the text can be sent to whomever, including my friends. My BF, however, would be appalled if he discovered a text like that on his D13's phone. I think it depends on one's relationship, and security in that relationship, with one's children. My guess is step-mom is pretty insecure in her relationship with your daughter and will take this stuff to heart.

QB

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 12:04pm

I don't know. I don't think that prohibiting text messaging is going to prohibit the behavior and thoughts and words you don't like. Personally I would rather be able to see if he is getting in real trouble without him knowing that I am looking. I would not consider those real trouble - just teen thoughts. But that is ME.

For now, he has carte blanche on phone/text useage because behavior and grades are very good and he knows that. I think that a phone provides huge leverage for a good behavior incentive - and a window into what is really going on.

I guess if they go over in minutes or too many texts and cost is an issue then they have to have a budget - and when they go over the budget then they get it confiscated. So far we have been okay on that.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2008
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 12:09pm

Moon- you are sooo right.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2008
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 12:21pm

I also agree with Moon on this one.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2006
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 12:22pm

Agree 100%, you said it much better than I.

Funny aside to this thread, while on our trip last week, my BF asked my S16 how to send a text on his phone (they both have the same phone). Then he sent text messages to his daughters. He figured he might as well learn to communicate in the form they are most comfortable with.

And my S16 just came home from his dad's and is reading this over my shoulder- so it goes both ways LOL

QB

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2007
Mon, 06-02-2008 - 12:24pm

My guess is step-mom is pretty insecure in her relationship with your daughter and will take this stuff to heart.


That is it to a T--only add her Dad to that list!

April

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