Cell Phone Problems With Your Teen

Cell phones are no longer just used in case of emergencies or when no other forms of communication are available. They have become a trend of constant convenience for most adults and a must-have for teens to fit in; if they don't have a cell phone like the rest of the kids, their social status is ruined. Unfortunately, cell phone problems arise frequently with teens, often resulting in feuds between parents and children.

Using Phones in School

A large problem today has been the use of cell phones in school. Many teens are easily distracted in class as their friends send them a text message and they attempt to reply under their desks. This can not only lead to trouble in school, but a decline in grades and overall performance.

Going Over Minutes

For parents who have their teens on their cell phone plans with a specified number of minutes per month, going over those minutes results in an excessive bill to pay. A teen may not think about the monthly minute restriction when that all-important call from her BFF comes in about the boy who has a possible crush on her---OMG!

Downloading Music and Ringtones

One major cost incurred with a cell phone bill is downloading music and ringtones. This uses megabytes and access to websites, which adds up over time. In fact, depending on the cell phone service you have, one or two downloads and you can be looking at an additional $20 a month on your bill. Aside from cell phones, a teen's next love is music. If he can combine the two, he won't give that additional cost a second thought.

Driving and Talking

An editorial director named Robert Roy Britt wrote an article about the effects of cell phone use while driving. In his article, he stated that nearly 60 percent of respondents ages 16 to 19 text while driving. This poses quite a danger on America's roads. If it distracts you from giving your full attention to the road, it increases your risk of having a motor vehicle collision.

Possible Solutions

Parents have plenty of recourse when it comes to their teen's cell phone abuse. The first is obvious: Take the phone away until she proves herself more responsible. You can also have her pay for any extra charges she has incurred on your cell phone bill. You can also check her book bag in the morning to ensure that she isn't taking her phone to school with her. Another way to avoid these charges is to buy your child a prepaid cell phone and make her buy her own minutes. If you insist on keeping her on your plan to avoid early-cancellation fees, call the company and have it place blocks on your child's phone; this will disable her from downloading anything and only allow her to place calls or text at certain times of the day.

References

• Cell phone problems
• Robert Roy Britt