My teen is addicted to his cell phone. He won’t get off it. He is on it all the time. His school has rules about cell phone use but the minute he is out of class he takes out his cell phone and is text messaging, talking, instant messaging, surfing the internet or checking his My Space or Facebook account.
Although statistics vary, approximately 75% of all teens have a cell phone. Teens send an average of between 60 and 100 texts per day. Texting is fast and convenient and easy…keeps them in touch. It is an instant connection with friends. There is an expectation for instant response and when there isn’t sometimes the other person becomes angry.
Teens use cell phones to text, talk to friends and connect to the internet. They are always connected, plugged in, linked up, joined, etc.
It becomes virtually impossible to monitor the internet context your teen is being exposed to on their cell phone.
Lack of sleep is a problem with teens and many sleep with their cell phones under their pillow or next to their bed ready to respond to a text or phone call. They feel they must always be accessible.
As parents what do we do? A cell phone is wonderful technology but we need to help our teen obtain some balance. They need some privacy and a break from always being connected.
Help your teen set limits:
- Have your teen pay for all or part of his cell phone bill
- No texting or cell phone calls during dinner
- No texting or cell phone calls while driving
- Turn off cell phone an hour before bedtime.
- Limit the amount of time your teen spends on a cell phone
Reference:
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/teen-abuse-cough-medicine-9/behavior-problems?page=2
