Text Messaging Among a Generation of Digital Natives

By Stacy DeBroff, Mom Central

The text messaging phenomenon dominates the lives of teenagers around the world. A late 2008 Nielsen study proved that US teens (ages 13-17) actually text more than they talk, sending and receiving an average of 1,742 text messages per year. Which, if you’re the parent of a teen or tween, may not come as a surprise. Preserving the art of conversation can prove quite difficult when America’s youth has so many electronic points of access. In this highly technology-dependent world in which we live, how can parents control their children’s texting and digital communication? Stacy DeBroff, Parenting Expert and CEO of Mom Central, Inc. has advice that will help you quickly control your teen’s texting and breathe a sigh of relief.

-    Set a limit! Especially in this very delicate economy, there is no tolerance for an avoidable $500 cell phone bill. Keep an eye on your texting trends by logging onto your cell phone carrier’s website. Creating a username is fast and easy, and you will always be in-the-know while your teen is on-the-go!

-    Texting is a gift; not a given! You’re not an awful parent if you take away your teen’s cell phone privileges. Express to your teen that texting and the use of a cell phone is in face, a privilege. Make it a reward for good behavior – even if that means taking away the phone for the first hour of a family party to encourage actual conversation.

-    Be a role model! Consider your digital socializing trends before discussing your teen’s texting. If you’re hooked on your BlackBerry 24/7, texting another parent or twitter-ing about a weekend dinner date, your child might be observing your patterns. Realize that you might be guilty, too. Set limits for yourself as well as for your teen.

-    Keep it in the open! Avoid situations where you teen can text freely by creating a cell phone check-in at the front door. Give the cell phone to your teen as they leave for school the next morning, avoiding late-night texting. Also, move the computer to a central area within your house to cut back on nighttime instant messaging.

-    Carve-out conversation time frames: Don’t let the art of conversation become extinct in your household. Make the most of family mealtimes by removing all electronic points of access. This is a perfect time to catch-up about what happened during the day.

Related Articles:

Nielsen: Texting Now More Popular than Calling
http://www.nielsenmobile.com/html/press%20releases/TextsVersusCalls.html

Boston.com : Is Your Teen a Texting Fiend?
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/family/blog/2009/01/is_your_teen_a.html?s_ca
mpaign=8315

Webopedia: A Guide to Understanding Online Chat Acronyms
http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/textmessageabbreviations.asp

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