WOW. (re: teens and texting)

rssnlvr

story

 "A new survey found that one out of every three American teenagers sends more than 100 texts a day."

"On average, teenage girls send and receive in the neighborhood of 80 text messages each day..."

Holyhell that seems like a CRAZY amount of texting!!! As a parent of a future (or current) teen...what do you think about this?

JayandJack

1. I'm going to go broke.

2. My thumbs hurt just thinking about this

3. I'm going to go broke

4. When are these kids studying? eating? sleeping?

ali-1411

I would believe it of people our age.

Nobody wants to talk on the phone anymore.  I can't tell you how many people I know that will never ever answer the phone when I call.  But they always respond to a text message. 

Teens feel braver over a text message.  Some things they would never have the courage to actually say it, but they will text it.

labbielover07

I believe it.  My 12 year old step sister has her phone glued to her at all times.  When they came to visit she was always texting.  I thought it was ridiculous that a 12 year old had a cell already. 

misjenn

I can totally believe it I probably send about 20 a day and I KNOW my little sister (she is 17) sends at least quadruple that!

As a parent I think my kids will be doing chores to pay for their phone services and texting privileges. 

rssnlvr

I mean, I know it's a loooong way off, and the technology that will exist for DD then will be nothing like the technology now...but still...I would hope that as a parent I am able to teach her to put the darn thing down and interact with those around her...

Nikison

As the parent of a future teen my first thought was, "how much are those unlimited texting plans"

I also agree with Labbie, I can't believe a 12 yr old has a cell phone. I can't imagine a circumstance where I wouldn't know exactly where my middle schooler is, that she'd need a cell to get a hold of me. 

ssinca

I remember hearing a story about a girl who texted so much that she now has carpel tunnel. 

I hate hate hate texting.  doesn't help that my phone is old as dirt and it's a PITA to text on a non-keyboard type phone.

texmommy3

labbielover07:

I believe it.  My 12 year old step sister has her phone glued to her at all times.  When they came to visit she was always texting.  I thought it was ridiculous that a 12 year old had a cell already. 

I think so too!  A lot of my neighbor's kids have Iphones!!!

Jen1007

rssnlvr:

as a parent I am able to teach her to put the darn thing down and interact with those around her...

It all starts with hand held video games! I hate when I go to a restaurant and a little kid is playing his video game while waiting to be seated, or waiting for the food to come out.  What the hell ever happened to having a family conversation.  

I also think that their lack of interacting with people is going to severely hurt them in the future.  How are you going to sit through and interview for an important job without having basic people and communication skills.

 ::Sorry this is obviously a very hot subject for me!:: 

batsteph

Jen1007:

rssnlvr:

as a parent I am able to teach her to put the darn thing down and interact with those around her...

It all starts with hand held video games! I hate when I go to a restaurant and a little kid is playing his video game while waiting to be seated, or waiting for the food to come out.  What the hell ever happened to having a family conversation.  

I also think that their lack of interacting with people is going to severely hurt them in the future.  How are you going to sit through and interview for an important job without having basic people and communication skills.

 ::Sorry this is obviously a very hot subject for me!:: 

I agree.  We were over at some friends' house yesterday, and their kids (2 and 3 years old) at one point were asking me what movies I'd seen, and when they found out I hadn't seen any lately were telling me the plots of all their faves.  I seriously didn't even know kids that age were watching movies!  They're more (pop) cultured than I am!  The only time D's ever seen a movie was right after William was born, when I was too exhausted to move and popped Bambi into the VCR.  D was bored. out. of. his. mind. and couldn't wait to go do something else.

That has nothing to do with text messaging, obviously, and I really don't mean it to be an indictment of our friends' parenting.  But I do think kids today have maybe a few too many options in the high-tech entertainment area.  And to me, texting at that age is high-tech entertainment.

Our plan regarding stuff like that is to keep our kids off their butts and in the great outdoors as much as possible, and hope that habits learned young stick with them.  It's hard to text while you're running after a ball or pounding pedals to bike up a good hill.

::realizes her own hypocrisy and steps away from the computer to go outside and weed the garden with her 2-year-old:: 

AmethystBride

Holy mackerel!  I don't think I even send 100 texts in a YEAR...

 

carlinlp

Nikison:

As the parent of a future teen my first thought was, "how much are those unlimited texting plans"

I also agree with Labbie, I can't believe a 12 yr old has a cell phone. I can't imagine a circumstance where I wouldn't know exactly where my middle schooler is, that she'd need a cell to get a hold of me. 

I think it's really easy to pass judgment when you don't have a teenager.  It is HARD to parent a teen, much harder than a toddler, so don't knock it until you've lived it.

Yes, my 12 year old has a cell phone.  Yes, we know where he is at all times and yes, there are times we still want to be able to get in touch with him.  Not all cell phone carrying 12 years olds have irresponsible parents!  We have also blocked texting on his phone until he's older.

Jen1007

Not trying to be a jerk here, but our parents managed to raise us without cell phones.

Granted the world is a lot scarier than it used to be, but....just sayin' 

carlinlp

True, but many of us never rode in safe carseats either.  When it comes to keeping your child safe, you make the best decision that you can.  Yes, there are parents who do not set limits on cell phone use, but to say ALL cell phone carrying teens are irresponsible and say "I'd never do that...."  Just you wait   I used to be that mom and karma bit me in the a$$.

ssinca

carlinlp:

Yes, my 12 year old has a cell phone.  Yes, we know where he is at all times and yes, there are times we still want to be able to get in touch with him.  Not all cell phone carrying 12 years olds have irresponsible parents!  We have also blocked texting on his phone until he's older.

I agree...I can't imagine not having a cell or not being able to get ahold of my (non-existent) kid(s).  I like the text blocking feature, or making the kid pay for overages, etc. 

but I also don't think a 6 yr old needs a cell, athough I'm thinking there are quite a few who do. 

carlinlp

Ty can't text out and if one of his friends sends him a text, he pays us for it, cold hard cash baby

 I agree a 6 year old doesn't need their own, but I do believe that once a child is school, if not sooner, they should know how to use one in case of an emergency.

Jen1007

carlinlp:

"I'd never do that...."  Just you wait   I used to be that mom and karma bit me in the a$$.

This is so true! Thanks for the laugh!!! I will make sure I page you the first time it happens too!  

m_and_m

DH and I easily send 150+ texts a day, about half to each other. Hell, I text so much I want to buy Taytee an unlimited text plan for her birthday. It sure would cut down on the 40 phone calls between us every day. I'm pretty sure DD will be a textin' fool someday. I'm okay with it though-it's a supplement to communication, not a replacement.

rssnlvr

carlinlp:

True, but many of us never rode in safe carseats either.  When it comes to keeping your child safe, you make the best decision that you can.  Yes, there are parents who do not set limits on cell phone use, but to say ALL cell phone carrying teens are irresponsible and say "I'd never do that...."  Just you wait   I used to be that mom and karma bit me in the a$$.

This. I was going to say the same thing about carseats. Whether our parents did or did not do something has no bearing on whether we should or should not be doing it. 

And I'm totally not anti-cell phone at the right age...I just think that as a society, our technology is advancing more quickly than our ability to learn to incorporate it into our lives in a healthy and productive manner...I'm all about no-text features and cell phones that can only call two numbers--mine and 911.

carlinlp

Jen1007:

carlinlp:

"I'd never do that...."  Just you wait   I used to be that mom and karma bit me in the a$$.

This is so true! Thanks for the laugh!!! I will make sure I page you the first time it happens too!  

 

hehehe 

ndluvsrk

I'm totally on the fence about it for the various reasons that have already been discussed.

I definitely don't want my kids to be texting as teenagers and I'm glad that we can block that feature, but I also like the gps features and the ability to be able to reach them or for them to reach us whenever necessary. However, it doesn't stop me from cringing from seeing kids with cell phones.

We're in the 'we'll figure it out as it comes' camp.  But no judgments here.

SaraLouiseBride08

My husband sends between 30 - 40 a day, and I sent about 10. I thought that was a lot! However, that said, I'm not anti-text since I got a phone I don't mind texting on. I like short and to the point conversation via the phone. Also, it's the only way my (22 year old) sister will communicate with us most of the time.

I think cell phones with the right protections are great for kids. 12? Maybe? Probably once they get to the age where they are wanting ot go to the mall with their friends without you, to movies, etc.

I got my first phone at 16 with my first car. At the time that was pretty young I guess, but so were cell phones. That was in 2000 I don't think everyone had cell phones then like they do now. However, it was for safety reasons ... if I was going ot be out, they wanted me to be able to get a hold of them in case of emergency. LOL And boy did I use that phone!

thethomps

Ugh.  I think it's a way of life, unfortunately, having just been around my 3 teenage cousins this weekend.  However, I will be laying down rules that there is no texting during school or family mealtime and if I find out that it's happening during school, bye bye cell phone.

twolverton

I saw a similar article on CNN earlier today. Just amazing! DH and I don't use 200 text messages in a month.

PMBridetobe

SS did not get a cell phone until he was 16.  SD has a cell phone she is to only use here at Dad's that Mom sends.  She is 12.  She has to follow the same rules as SS.   The cell's main purpose (until more responsibility is earned) is for us to communicate with him.  It goes on the counter when he is at home and he can take it with him whenever we leave the house.

When we are at dinner or out and about the cell phone is not to be used in place of family conversation.  Once we were in the car and his friend called, we asked who it was and he told us we didn't need to know.  The car was pulled over and the cell phone was given up.  If he doesnt follow the rules, he loses it for a day. 

His phone has restriction privileges on it and we have set usage limits. It sends him and us a text message when he gets close to those limits. 

 

kimbiebride

rssnlvr:

story

 "A new survey found that one out of every three American teenagers sends more than 100 texts a day."

"On average, teenage girls send and receive in the neighborhood of 80 text messages each day..."

 

Yeah, until their witchy History teacher takes their phones away.  Mwahahahahaaaaaaa!!! 

HSartteach

rssnlvr:

carlinlp:

True, but many of us never rode in safe carseats either.  When it comes to keeping your child safe, you make the best decision that you can.  Yes, there are parents who do not set limits on cell phone use, but to say ALL cell phone carrying teens are irresponsible and say "I'd never do that...."  Just you wait   I used to be that mom and karma bit me in the a$$.

This. I was going to say the same thing about carseats. Whether our parents did or did not do something has no bearing on whether we should or should not be doing it. 

And I'm totally not anti-cell phone at the right age...I just think that as a society, our technology is advancing more quickly than our ability to learn to incorporate it into our lives in a healthy and productive manner...I'm all about no-text features and cell phones that can only call two numbers--mine and 911.

This completely.  As a high school teacher who watches kids willingly take referrals for not putting up their cell phones in class when told, it is a touchy subject for me.  There is a time and place and kids these days don't know when or where.  I think the same goes for adults...we need to learn too.