Your Kids & the Cell Phone Era

Are your kids caught up in the enticement of the cell phone world?

Or do they use this modern convenience simply for necessary communication?

For many, the cell phone seems to have become an extended appendage. They’re texting or talking on it almost continually (except when disallowed at school), checking e-mail and downloading from the Internet. However, there still are some who share a phone with the family and have it with them only when necessary.

Kids and Cell Phones Image: sxc.hu

Do you know how your kids are using their cell phones, iPhones, Blackberrier, etc. , who they are communicating with and what they’re communicating? Cell phones now can be used for so much more than simply brief communication by youngsters and adults…some of it good and necessary, other use not so desirable.

Text messaging
Making the usual convenience phone calls
Downloading music
Developing a romantic and/or sexual relationship
Arrange meetings with strangers they meet via the cell phone
Receiving explicit text and picture messages
Sending their picture and personal information to strangers
Interacting on the Internet and performing the functions of your computer

Do you know how your kids are using their cell phones? Do you know that you can block or eliminate some of the features?

For additional information:

Parenting Youth in a Cell Phone Culture

Comments

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812 days ago

Should You Restrict Kids’ Cell Phone Use? : Blisstree - Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles
[...] I wrote the post, Kids & the Cell Phone Era, readers responded with information about how they restrict their kids’ cell phone use. [...]

By Mary Emma Allen

I don’t think you’re too strict, Eliza. Parents need to teach their youngsters responsible use of the cell phone and similar gadgets. There’s a whole new electronic world out there that we didn’t know about, and it opens one’s whole family up to exposure of private and public information. Unless they’re informed, youngsters don’t know the ramifications this can present.

I believe parents should look into blocking certain aspects and set limits and restrictions. Our grandkids have shared a family phone with their parents for a number of years. Granddaughter got her first cell phone when she went to college and doesn’t even have texting on it. She uses it mainly for communicating with family.

By Eliza Ferree

My son is 12 and I know many kids his age have their own phones but I just don’t feel at this time that he needs one. Since he is either at school, riding the bus home from school or at home I feel pretty sure he doesn’t need it. When we leave him home alone or drop him off at an after-school event we give him one of ours and he is to only call us on it or text us. He’s also allowed to take pictures of things he sees. I know it sounds strict but this has worked for us.

I recently heard a neighbor complain that her child had run over their plan and it cost them a bundle. We don’t have that issue. He’s allowed on facebook where he can socialize with his friends after school for an hour. I believe that is all he needs at this time. If he really needs the contact invite them over or hang out. But there is no need to tie up the phone lines.

With all that being stated we are looking into get a cell for him either for his upcoming birthday or once we move. But there will be limits, restrictions and I will look at blocking certain things.