Cell Phones

My teenage daughter has a cell phone, but she doesn’t answer it when it rings. Like most kids her age, she prefers texting as a means of communication. This drives me crazy but, like many Circle of Moms members, I’ve come to accept that if I’m going to start a conversation with my kid, I have to learn to talk with my thumbs.

Apparently I shouldn’t take it personally. According to a study (Teens, Smartphones and Texting) from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, texting has surpassed talking on the phone as a way of communication for teenagers. In fact, it’s the only form of communication teens use that’s shown an increase in usage. 

It didn’t surprise me that talking on the phone was slowing down, but I was surprised to find that even email and instant messaging are declining, too. Teens in the study revealed that they prefer text messaging as their dominant daily mode of communication, not just with their friends, but with everyone in their lives.

The Unexpected Benefit of Texting Your Teen

Teens are rarely known for their loquaciousness, and as Circle of Moms member Ashley T. points out, they don’t really want their friends to know they’re talking to mom and dad. Texting gives them a way to communicate with you without being teased about it. Mom Karla C. corroborates this:

"My kids will openly text me something that they may hesitate telling me face to face. I think it helps them communicate tough situations easier," she shares.

Pam L. says her daughter also pays more attention and seems to open up more when she texts. That’s true with my daughter as well. In person I might get a shrug and on the phone I might get a sullen "I dunno," but it’s via text message that she’ll really tell about her thoughts and feelings.

What if You Hate Texting?

As parents of teenagers know, it’s not always easy to get your kids to communicate about at all, let alone about sensitive or tough situations, so maybe it’s worth learning to text if it gets them to talk. But what if, like mom Kristina M., you find yourself "texting challenged," or like Amanda M. you just hate texting?

Circle of Moms member Meriann C. doesn’t think you should resort to texting to get through to your kids. She believes that teens need to develop face-to-face social skills and  as a result, refuses to make texting her primary means of communication with her son.

The good news is that Pew Internet’s research backs up the finding that texting is just one more tool for modern parents to use. Apparently, teens who are heavy texters (exchange more than 100 texts a day) also talk more on their cell phones, too. As strange as it seems, the more your teen texts, the more likely she is to answer her phone, too.

It’s All About Balance

Moms who say they text when they can and call when it’s necessary are on to something. Connie A. uses the same tactic I do: If she has something she needs to say rather than type, she sends a text message asking her kids to call her. She says this protocol expresses mutual respect, and I agree.

It doesn’t mean I enjoy it. It takes me three time longer to text something than to say it and I’m sure I’m constantly using the wrong abbreviations. 

In the end, though, if it will help me develop a better relationship with my teen, I guess I'll just have to lern how 2 tlk lke d teens.

Image Source: Tammy McGary via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Technology is everywhere, so it’s no surprise that some grade schoolers have their own cell phones. These days it's only when a child has a nicer one than an adult that it seems a bit extreme! But many parents feel that children this young should not have have cell phones at all.

Four Views on When to Get Your Child a Phone

So what’s the right age for your child to have her own phone, and how do you talk to her about responsible cell phone use? Here, Circle of Moms members and bloggers share four perspectives on when and why a child should get a phone, followed by rules that might accompany this privilege to make it workable for everyone.

1. Your Child Is In Middle School

“That’s when they start wanting to do things with friends, have extra curricular activities they may be involved with, and they start wanting to talk on the phone a lot more.” - Heather of From Crayons to Coupons

"I understood the peer pressure to have one [at this age]." Frances F. of JustPiddlin'

2. Your Child Can Pay For It Herself

"We are willing to put them on our plan so that it's cheaper, but we will not pay for it. My husband didn't have a cell phone until he was an adult and could pay for it himself. I don't see any reason for my child to have one if he can borrow one of ours, or if we have his friends' cell phone numbers." Summer K.

"If they want a phone to talk/text to friends, well, my opinion is that they'd have to be old enough to have a job where they could pay for the phone and any charges associated with said phone. Cell phones are great, but they are a privilege and not a right in my book." Julie M. of Natural and Free 

"My kids were each allowed to buy a cell phone with their 12th birthday money. Conditions were [that] it was a prepaid phone, they had to pay for their own credit (extra jobs could be done to earn extra when needed), and they always had to keep a couple of dollars credit for an emergency call if need be. They are now 20, 18 and 16. The older two have fancy phones with contracts and the youngest one would love to, but until she is 18 and old enough to sign a contact herself, she is stuck [with] prepaid." -Mardi M.

3. You Feel Your Child is Responsible

"I'm a divorced mom, and would love to give my eight year-old one of the simple 'kid' cell phones if I felt she was responsible enough to take care of it. They only have a few programmable buttons - mom, dad, 911. I think these would be useful for kids to be able to get in touch with either parent in a split-home situation." - Shai S. of The Vagabond Studio

"It's a very personal decision whether to give a child a phone — how responsible they are, etc." - Rosemary S.

4. Your Child Truly Needs a Phone

"Our daughter is ten and plays quite a few sports and is also being invited to many sleepovers. Already we have had more than one instance where she forgot to call us and we went over half a day without hearing from her (which is very nerve wracking). After that happened, we talked about letting her use a cell phone for those times that she is at someone else's home, or is at a sporting event without us. We are giving her an old iPhone that we have and we are signing her up with the most basic plan with the understanding that this phone will only be given to her when she is not with us." - Tina from ShopaholicMommy

"Now that he's riding his bike to/from school I feel better [that] he has a cell phone to call for help if needed. His phone only costs $9.99 a month so it was way cheaper than a land line." - Bonnie W

"I would say as soon as they can start understanding what a cell phone is, you can purchase just those basic track-phones and have nothing on it but basic calling. Sit down with them and tell them that its for emergencies only, like if they missed the bus from school, etc." - Lisa D.

Cell Phone Rules for Kids

Although moms don't quite agree on the timing, all do agree that there should be rules when you do finally give your child a cell phone.

"The rules we have are no phone until chores and homework are done after school, then no phone after 8 p.m. or at mealtime. This gives her time to communicate with us, or she is glued to her phone and the constant texts from friends." -Nicole B. 

"Our agreement has been if he wants to go out with friends off of our street he must have his phone on him, charged, and if I call he must answer. If he can't find it, or its not charged (which can be often) he can't go. It works well for us. He isn't much of a talker, so he really doesn't use it to chitchat with friends." - Candice D.

"The phone was for letting us know where she was, not to text her friends. She was allowed to text socially on weekends only. Our provider also allows us to see how many incoming/outgoing texts were sent, so she knew we were monitoring that." - Phae E. of NakedLabels

In addition to the rules above, moms suggest the following:

• No phones at church
• No phones in the bedroom after bedtime (Frances F. has her daughters leave their phones on the kitchen counter at night)
• Parents have the right to check a child's texts, emails and calls whenever they choose
• Phones can be taken away if the child is not doing well in school and keeping up with chores and other responsibilities

When did your child first have a cell phone?

Image Source: r.f.m II via Flickr/Creative Commons

Giving your child a cell phone is supposed to make both you and your child feel safe. So Georgia mom Marcia Jones and her husband were especially shocked to discover adult and child pornography images in a supposedly new out-of-the-box Sprint HTC phone they bought for their 13-year-old's daughter's use.

The family bought the phone at RadioShack, and when they informed the company of what they found on it, they were told that they could only exchange the phone for another 'new' phone, and that the company would neither refund their money nor address the fact that they'd sold a used phone with illegal materials in it.

The Jones family is suing both RadioShack and Sprint for deceptive trade practices and "intentional infliction of emotional distress."

Read the whole story (NYDailyNews.com) >>

Image Source: WSB TV

When it comes to cell phones and your little ones, what are your "house rules"? According to a newly released study from AT&T, 90 percent of kids ages 8-17 would be OK with having parental restrictions set on their cell phone use, but only 66 percent of families have such rules in place. Other (perhaps surprising) findings include the following:

• More than half of the kids surveyed reported having ridden in a car with someone who was texting and driving.
• At least one out of five kids say they've been bullied via text from another child.
• Nearly half of kids ages 11-17 say they have a friend who has received a text message or picture that their parents would have found to be "too sexual."

The good news is that it's up to us as parents to monitor and control how our kids use their cell phones. AT&T's Family Safety site offers a great range of products tailored toward children ages 8-17, including the FamilyMap monitoring system and a free Content Filter.

We caught up with pediatrician, father of two, and cohost of The Doctors Dr. Jim Sears to find out his reactions to the survey and his recommendations on making cell phones safe for our kids.

LilSugar: According to the results of the study, it seems like most kids are OK with cell phone boundaries, but parents aren't setting them. Why not?
Dr. Jim Sears: I think a lot of parents just don't think about it. If you're used to having unlimited service, many parents don't think about what their kids are up to until they get that first bill . . . but they should. Talk to your kids about implementing limits to how and when their phones should be used. Family meal time should always be off limits, and at school, they should be turned off and only used in case of an emergency.

LS: What conversations should we be having with our kids about cell phones before they even get their own?
JS: The ages of 6-8 are a great time to educate kids on a lot of things. They're very malleable at this point — if they see someone they know smoking, they're likely to speak up about it. Same goes for texting while driving. This is a good age to teach them that it's an unsafe practice.

For the rest of Dr. Sears's advice on empowering your kids to be responsible cell phone users, click here!

If you have a cell phone this "mom hack" is a necessity. And it's so easy, you're going to want to smack yourself for not having done it sooner. 

Enter the number for Poison Control into your cell phone contacts list. No matter where you live in the USA, their number is 1-800-222-1222.

Trust me, when a child ingests poison or is in the throes of an allergic reaction, the last thing you need is to be hunting around for an emergency phone number.

The Longest Minute of My Life

Like most things in my life, I learned this one the hard way. 

My daughter "Mini-Me" was about two years old and we were visiting her elderly grandparents. Somehow, Mini-Me had managed to find and open my MIL's "M-T-W-Th-F" pill box and eat God only knows how much of its contents before I even noticed she was hiding under the table with "Nonna's candy" (Mini-Me's exact words).

I shrieked "Oh my GOD! Mom! Your pills! Mini-Me just ate them!" I was in an absolute panic. I knew I needed to call the Poison Control Center, but we couldn’t find the phone book. Then, we couldn't find the cordless phone! If it weren't such a life-threatening situation, I would have called it a comedy of errors. I ended up calling 911 from my cell phone (after having to run down the driveway to get reception). On top of that, my equally panicked MIL could not remember which pills she had already taken that day, so we had no way of knowing exactly what my daughter had ingested. It was truly terrifying. 

The 911 dispatcher must have transferred me to Poison Control, but I seem to recall the transfer process being the longest minute of my life. 

As it turns out, my daughter was fine. We didn't even have to get her stomach pumped, thank God. Poison Control advised that we just watch her closely for the next week, because we eventually concluded that she had swallowed one or two of my MIL's blood thinners. 

The second I got off the phone with Poison Control that day, I knew I needed to have their number pre-programmed into my speed dial so I would be ready for the next emergency. 

And thank goodness I did, because lo and behold, just last weekend while camping with my daughter's scout troop, one of the girls got stung by a poisonous caterpillar, of all things. The poor thing's hand swelled up like a balloon and she was obviously in a lot of pain. I was the only adult there with this critical number at the touch of my fingertips. A guy named Bart at Poison Control was able to calmly walk me through what to do to help this little girl, and we all lived to tell the harrowing tale. 

Depending on what kind of phone you have, you can make it even easier to quickly access this number when you have an emergency. 

I used to have the kind of phone that would automatically order my contacts list alphabetically and it was difficult to search for specific names. I hacked around this by labeling my most important contacts like this: "1-Poison Control," "2-Emergency Contact Person," "3-Pizza Delivery," etc. By prefacing with the numbers 1, 2, 3..., these entries automatically appeared at the very top of my phone directory. 

I have an iPhone now and can quickly search for Poison Control by swiping my finger to the right across my home screen and typing "POI" into the search bar. I also have Poison Control listed as one of my "favorites" so I can access it quickly from within my phone menu as well.

Please, take a minute to do this life-saving mom hack. If you are ever faced with a poison related emergency you will be so glad you did.

Image Source: iPhoto image by Leslie Marinelli

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

A new survey says that 75 percent of Americans use their smartphone while on the toilet. No wonder 16 percent of cell phones have poop on them. Gross. Not only is talking, texting, or web surfing on the John a disgusting habit that encourages the spreading of germs and bacteria, but it can also cause awkward moments for others around you. But the loo isn't the only place you should consider a tech-free zone. Check out the list below for five other locations you should keep your phone under wraps and on silent.

• At the movies — We all paid to get into the theater, so please keep your cell phone on silent and don't answer it if it rings; you'll be ruining the experience for the rest of us!
• At the gym — Talking on your cell at the gym is a no-no according to FitSugar, and I'd have to agree. Getting distracted and walking away from equipment slows the rest of the gym-goers down, and no one really needs to hear you go into detail about last night's date, your annoying coworker, or your mother-in-law's upcoming visit while we're trying to run.
• At the dinner table — If you've gone out of your way to meet with friends, family, or heck, even a date over dinner, the least you can do is keep your cell phone off the table. Placing your phone next to your plate just makes it seem like you're waiting for someone to call, or worse, looking for something better to do.
• Behind the wheel — This one seems obvious, but 56 percent of people have seen someone use their mobile phone behind the wheel. Even scarier? Almost 25 percent of Americans have seen someone using a laptop behind the wheel.
• In the bedroom — This is a no-brainer, right? Maybe not. A 2010 study showed that 10 percent of people would check texts during sex. Are we so preoccupied with staying connected that we can't even enjoy a little unplugged "business time"!?

It’s a mom’s job to know where her kids are and what they are up to. But is opening your child's e-mails, rifling through her room, or peeking into her journals an acceptable approach to staying on top of her activities? Circle of Moms member Loureen K. wants to know where the line is: “How much privacy should parents give their teens, and when is it appropriate to snoop?” she asks.

With so much of kids' lives unfolding online and through mobile phones, parents can feel clueless about what’s really going on. But parents also have access to new tools — not only web filters and tracking software like SocialShield, but GPS — that allow us to follow our kids' every move. Are we turning into bigger sneaks than we’d care to admit? Here, a breakdown of all the different places parents commonly snoop, from their kids' Internet browsers to their backpacks, plus Circle of Moms members' views on whether each type of parental spying is ever okay.

Cyber Sleuthing

Yes: It's a Safety Issue

If your gut tells you that your teen or tween is viewing banned sites or receiving inappropriate messages, a show of hands among Circle of Moms members says you should monitor their online activity. "My kids are my responsibility, and so is their behavior,” says Shawn L. “There is absolutely NO electronic privacy in our household. I guess I look at it this way: If my kids did something inappropriate, and I found out about it later, I'd be appalled. I'd be embarrassed, and most of all, I'd be extremely upset. I have all of their passwords, and regularly check their online activity, Facebook pages, etc."

Nikki S. agrees, adding, “As far as Internet use goes, I will check everything that they do on the computer for their own safety. I will be upfront about restrictions and conditions of Internet and phone usage. There won’t be any "snooping" because they will know it is going to happen.”

No: Kids Who are Trusted Become More Trustworthy

Other Circle of Moms members believe that tweens and teens need to know their parents trust them in order to make good decisions. They say that monitoring their Internet usage violates not only this trust, but also privacy: “I don't agree with parents invading their child's privacy at all, ever," says Emma. “That includes demanding access to their Facebook and MySpace [accounts], and [being] friends with them on Facebook. If they're allowed to use these things then they should have their privacy respected. Just because your kid doesn't want you to read everything they say to friends doesn't mean they're up to no good.”

Checking Cell Phones and Logs

Yes: It's a Parent's Job to Monitor

In a world of cyber bullying, sexting, and child predators, it's important for moms to monitor their tweens' and teens' cell phone usage, some Circle of Moms advise. “It is my job as a mother to know. It is my husband's job as a father to know,” says Melodie. “We have 2 boys, 10 and 12. If either one of us think something is going on that shouldn't be then we are going to snoop. I check my son's cell phone all the time. My kids are well aware of that and as long as they are going to live in my house and enjoy all the things our hard earned money provides them, then I can snoop whenever I feel like it.”

Angel M. says she monitors her teen’s mobile phone activity because, “How else are you to protect them from cyber bullying, sexting, and child predators?"

No: Kids Deserve Some Privacy and Respect

Many Circle of Moms members share an opinion voiced by Nicole M. who says: "Until your child gives you a reason to be suspicious, and by that I mean more valid than hanging out with a "lost soul" and not telling you all her secrets anymore, they deserve their privacy and respect.” She adds: “If they break that trust, (and for me it would take more than one little 'Hey Mom, I'm going over to A's house to study' when you know well and good they are going out to the movies with Boy B), then all bets are off. I just think, if you show them respect, they will grow and learn to respect you (and others) more too.”

GPS Tracking

Yes: It's So Reassuring

Some Circle of Moms are so intent on monitoring their kids that they've installed a computer chip in their teen's car or are using their teen's cell phone GPS to track its owner's whereabouts. "We have one on my son's car and love it,” says Shea J. “You can have alerts sent to your phone that let you know where he is, how fast he is going. To actually track his movement you have to go online and log in. It works great.”

Patty H. says she feels GPS tracking isn’t snooping. "My philosophy is you have to trust but verify," she explains. "This way I won't have to worry about him; I can look online and see exactly where he is."

No: Leave Tracking to the Police

Other Circle of Moms members feel that getting instant updates on the speed your teen is driving or where he is in the car is taking it too far and is disrespectful. It’s not a good way to help build their self-confidence and show them you trust them, say moms like Jodi. She believes that parents should at least start “by having a talk" and  giving your kids a chance to share where they are and what they are doing.

Bedrooms, Backpacks and Journals

Yes: It’s a Parent’s Duty to Snoop

Going through your child's personal belongings periodically is just part of what a responsible parent does, say some Circle of Moms members. “I agree that it's okay to go through your kids’ stuff,” says Lisa W. “If I find something inappropriate I find some roundabout way to bring it up to her and see if she'll open up about it. By no means do I say, oh, I was in your room snooping and found this or that. You have to protect your kids.”

Kim B., who checks her daughter's backpack, room, cell phone, e-mail and Facebook periodically, maintains that as  long as a child is living under her roof, she "basically has no freedom."

No: You Will Lose Your Child's Trust

Other Circle of Moms feel strongly that children should have a safe place for their private thoughts and feelings and that reading journals and rifling through rooms is an invasion of privacy. “I don't snoop,” says Tara K. "I have a 14-year-old son. If I were concerned about him or anything he was doing, I would talk to him. And if I felt he was being dishonest, I would let him know that I can find out the truth, be it through his friends, their parents, the computer, snooping in his room, etc. He knows I have the power to do all those things, but I have never had to. Snooping under any but the most extreme cases is wrong. My mom read my diary once; I didn't talk to her for a month. She had no reason, no right and I was appalled that she would be so disrespectful of my privacy. She felt awful and admitted to just being curious. Not okay in my book.”

Do you spy on your kids?

Image Source: kellyxrene via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Now that it's gearing up to unleash a wicked load of 4G phones (and soon, an iPhone), Verizon is dishing out the Winter cell phone tips to keep you texting, emailing, and chatting, and at just the perfect time. Although we've been hanging out in the middle of the desert at CES in Las Vegas, it gets pretty nippy out there, and according to Verizon, cold weather sucks down your battery faster than it would in warm temps. Not only that, but your phone's display is more sensitive in chilly Winter weather, which makes it easier to break. Talk about a double downer.

How can you keep your phone working at full speed, and get through Winter in one piece? Find out after the break.