How to Use Cell Phone with Teen

Member

By Alrady
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(4 Ratings)

Teens and cell phones. Cell phones and teens. No matter which way you put it, 94% of parents think cell phones are a good idea.

If your teen is using a cell you need to use yours to the fullest to stay close to your child. If text and cell phones are the language of teens, then knowing the language can only help you.

Here are some steps to use the phone to be CLOSER and bond with your teen, as well as how to use the cell phone to keep tabs on teen activities.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Cell phone - get a good one with GPS and easy text.
QWERTY
GPS
Camera

Step 1

LEARN TO TEXT: Cell phones and texting are synonymous. Teens are able to text with eyes closed it is a crucial part of their lives. Learn to enter that world by texting.

Ask your teen to help you learn and start using the technology. It can take weeks for a person used to full computer keyboard to adjust to the smaller "keys". Buy a phone with QWERTY and a flip out feature that allows for keyboard style texting. Ask your sale rep to demonstrate how QWERTY works. (see resource box)
Step 2

TEXT FOR FUN: Text your teen off and on and have fun. Don't use it just to ask when they are coming back with the car. Example: Susie, did you see the sale at Kohl's? or "John, did you see Shaq is on Twitter?" Now your kid may not care about those things; but the point is, you start talking to them via text, just as you would in person.
Step 3

PHOTOS: Use your cell phone to take pictures and share silly things with your teen. You can also ask teen to send picture of what they are doing at any given moment. Text your teen what you are doing too. Set example of sharing lives. That is what they are doing with family and friends by sharing. Read my article on how to recover deleted photos
Step 4

MUSIC: Often overlooked with cell phones and teens is how important music is in their lives. If you have a phone that identifies music you can use it to find out more about what they are listening to. Save "fav" songs to your phone. From there look up and learn the lyrics so you can talk more intelligently about music choices with your teen.
Step 5

RECOVER TEXTS: The article on "How to recover deleted texts" might become your best friend - if you teen starts down the wrong path. Read my article How to Recover Deleted Text Messages - link in resource list. Be prepared and ready to use the techniques for recovery.
Step 6

GPS: Most cell phones and providers have GPS capabilities and services. Do not talk yourself out of purchasing this important piece of technology. IF something happens to your child then you will have the ability to track. If your child goes down the wild side you will have the ability to track. The cost is minimal compared with their life. So add the GPS feature to your teens phone.
Step 7

LAST TIPS: Make sure to keep all your teens friends and their parents information stored in your cell phone. Use a code such as FR for friend or FRPR for friends parent - store with the code to front of name so that they are grouped in your phone directory.

Look at your bill and numbers listed in your teen's account and keep tabs on them. AT the very least you will expand your Christmas Card list and the most if something happens you are prepared.

Comments

karileighk said

Flag This Comment

on 10/26/2009 Texting is the best.

amyrah said

on 9/30/2009 awesome

Alrady said

on 9/28/2009 thanks so much.. it has been wonderful learning from my teen how to use my phone better. even bought a memory card for it. should have bought qwerty feature in phone though!