Hyper-Texting Teens and Sex

We have decided not to have a home phone so both our kids have a cell phone (10 and 12).  We have not allowed a smart phone which gives access to internet and can lead to a lot of unmonitored and potentially dangerous opportunties. The phones are not allowed past a certain time and we discuss anything they are texting.  I feel one of the benefits of the phones is that it allows them to contact us at anytime without anyone else knowing.  Not that they have been unsupervised but if there ever came a time they were in an uncomfortable situation, they can easily text us without anyone else knowing and we can get them. Perhaps this could be more important later but we are building this as a way to communicate with each other even when not together and a way to have family support at all times.  We know there are potential dangers but they are everywhere- technology has its good and bad for sure

My kids who are now adults were allowed to have a cell phone when they got a job and could afford monthly payments themselves.  In other words, they had already learned about responsibility, and were ready for it.  It was a good opportunity to help them learn about paying a bill while they were still under our roof with our guidance.  They also learned that with texting comes charges on a phone bill.  They had to pay for it themselves, so they made decisions about how much they wanted to spend for this feature.  The acted responsibly, and when they went over their allowed number of texts and had additional charges, they learned a valuable lesson because they had to pay for it themselves. It was nice to be able to reach them at any time and know that they could reach us if they needed us. Now we have a 12 year old who has many friends with their own cell phones. When she can pay monthly charges, she can get a phone.

Cell phone usage of children is one of those things that is just so controversial and such differing opinions abound in Christians that few venture into wanting to comment about it, I think.  It takes a lot of discipline, perseverance, and strength to change the way things are being done.  Cell phones are not for children, especially without any limitations.  Children will abuse cell phones and choose to put important things aside, like family, homework, sleep, to use them, just like television, video games, et cetera.  To those parents who have already gone down the road of allowing your children to use cell phones, think about changing some things.  But expect an enormous fight and expect to have to practice discipline, perseverance, and strength.  And to those parents who, thankfully, have children young enough that your children haven't asked and pleaded and begged for a cell phone yet, don't go down that road.  They don't have to do something just because "everybody is doing it."  Stand your ground.  Stay conservative.  You WILL be sorry that you gave in.  If your children tend to abuse other things, like television, video games, et cetera, cell phones will just be added to the list and they will accomplish even fewer productive things during the day.  If you've created a household where your children have learned a little self-control themselves, because of your limitations and rules and discipline, allowing a cell phone with some limitations probably won't be that much different.  I think it all depends on the parenting.  I have two older daughters who are grown and out of the house now, who I allowed to have cell phones growing up without many limitations.  Bad idea!  One thing I did right, though, is I never paid for their cell phones or their usage.  They have always worked to pay for their cell phones.  But even with that, I still would do things differently and either place some serious limitations on them or not allow them at all.  I have a four-year-old who I will have to face this issue with again some day.  Thankfully, it will be a few years.  I'm going to KNOW what I'm going to do before that time comes, though!  At least I hope.

In the first 11 or so hour that this post has been up, there has been one comment.  In the first 11 or so hours the blost post was up that asked if our pets may or may not go to heaven, there were 17 posts.  I don't have kids, but I have pets and I think I would be more concerned about humans than animals.  Am I wrong on this?

The name children implies they need a guardian - and rightly so.Our children are not at this time allowed to have a cell phone.  There is no need.  I am not an advocate for "smothering" - never letting them out of our sight, but they are always either with myself or Dad OR with someone we know well.  Although 15 and 13, (and Heaven forbid our 8 year old!) we do not feel they are mature enough yet for the reponsibilities having a phone implies.  It is the same notion as them being out on their own.  Too much freedom.  Too little responsibility.  Why ask for trouble?  They will find it soon enough.