How to Monitor a Child's Cell Phone Usage
Nearly all kids have cell phones today. Cell phones are great for staying connected to parents and for having a phone in case of an emergency. But too often parents become frustrated with their kids for using their phones too much or in unauthorized ways. Monitoring your kid's cell phone usage is a great way to keep track of how often and how much your child is using their phone.
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Instructions
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Be familiar with cell phone technology. Know how to use your child's cell phone. Be familiar with how to look up recently called numbers, how to review text messages, Internet use and emails, and how to access their phone book.
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Choose a cell phone provider that has online billing. Online billing allows you to review the incoming and outgoing calls and the minutes that have been used.
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Use software that tracks your child's cell phone usage. RADAR is one such company that provides cell phone tracking. It lets you review your child's phone usage by making phone numbers, emails and other information available to you on a secure website (see Resources below).
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Develop lines of open and honest communication with your child. Talk to your child about the dangers of unauthorized phone use. Set clear cut rules and consequences for breaking them. Establishing trust with your child can help avoid unauthorized usage.
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Purchase a phone and plan that allows your child to only receive and make calls from pre-programmed numbers. Verizon Migo (with optional Chaperon service) is one such plan (see Resources below).
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Tips & Warnings
If your child argues about phone monitoring, remind him who pays the bill.
You can use reverse look-up to find out who a phone number belongs to. The phone will have to be a listed number for this to work.
Cell phones now have Internet capabilities. Lay down the law on Internet cell phone usage with your child.
