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Cell Phone Rules for Teens

Some time ago, a Michelle, a families.com blogger asked, “Does Your Child Have a Cellphone”. While it was clearly something she wasn’t interested in, she estimated that 54 percent of 8-12 year old’s would have them in the next three years. I am not surprised. In fact my kids have had cell phones since they were 11.

The reason for giving my kids cell phones was to keep track of them when they left the home. Back when I was a kid, my mother gave me change when I left the house so I could call her from a pay phone if needed. She also had the number of the place I was going. Things have changed since then. Pay phones and virtually nonexistent and no one gives out phone number any more and many people don’t have phones in their houses. Let’s face it folds. we are in Mars and need to do as the Martians do. If we want to reach our teens and tweens when they leave the house, then they need to have a phone with them.

With that said, they can’t have a cell phone without rules.

1. Cell phones are not allowed in bedrooms,especially at night, so you are not tempted to separate yourself and talk to or text your friends for hours.

2. You must have your cell phone on you if you want to leave the house.

3. When I call you on your cell phone you need to answer it or risk losing your phone privileges.

4. You you only allowed so many minutes of talk and texts per month. If you go over that, you lose your allowance until your portion of the bill is paid.

5. Take care of your phone. I will not buy a new one because you broke it. If it is lost, you must pay the insurance deductible from your allowance to pay for it.

6. Don’t ask for a cell phone that is not free with the plan.

7. Cell phones are replaced every two years when the contract expires.

My son is currently on his 3 cell phone and my daughter on her second. Maybe I am lucky, but my biggest problem is number two. The kids forget they own cell phones and don’t always take them with them. They also have very small bills with minutes averaging around 10-15 minutes per month (Minutes don’t accrue for family members). My daughter is the only one that texts and she does about 75% of what she is allotted.

If you liked this you should also read my other posts at the home blog, the homeschooling blog, the parents blog, and the frugal blog. You can read my recent posts here.

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