TEENS SPOT

Why Parents Should 

Be Checking Teens’ 

Phones

I’ve had parents tell me that their kids wouldn’t like that. NO DUH!

It doesn’t matter. You have to check their phones. And, more than that, you have to lay down the phone expectations. And do it continually. Remind them that you pay the bill, they are under 18, your job is to protect them and you will be checking their phones whenever you want.

If you’re new to this idea, here are a couple of starting points to think about:

1. Realize that you’ve given your kids a computer. They will only use 10 percent of the time to actually talk! And I don’t know if you call what they do on the phone talking! Unless, you’ve given them a flip phone from years past.

But today’s phones are computers. So, you must set up some Internet protection. You can do that right on an iPhone.

Recently, one of my son’s friends looked at something inappropriate on YouTube on their phone. As soon as my son came home, he told me about it. Why did he tell me about it? Because I’m talking to them all the time about what’s appropriate and inappropriate. Make sure you are protecting them by setting up some Internet filters.

2. Talk through the privilege of having a phone. And don’t just do it once. Do it all the time! Recent surveys are showing teenagers would rather give up their sense of smell or their pinky finger than give up their phones! It’s important to them.

It also should be important to you. Every single week, remind them that you pay the bill and it’s not free. That means they need to help around the house or whatever you come up with. Remind them that you will be checking it.

3. Teach your son or daughter phone etiquette. Teach them how to be respectful on the phone. Teach them that even though they can’t see the person they’re texting, that doesn’t give them the right to be nasty, mean or a bully. Give them the skills to use their phone properly.

source: www.churchleaders.com