Written by: Maureen Burson, Extension
Educator
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
How much is your family spending on technology today compared to five
years ago?
Recently, the number of wireless phone lines has surpassed land lines.
With economical costs to add a second and third line,
cell phones are a great convenience for the entire family.
Cellular phones have provided opportunities to build family linkages which
could not be imagined five years ago. Technology advances can also become
expensive and addictive distractions if consumers over indulge. Cell
phones are primarily used for talking and text messaging, but secondary
uses such as camera, Internet and music are rapidly becoming popular.
One of the challenges parents face is monitoring and keeping track of
their kids' cell phone use. Small, hand-held screens make it hard to "watch
what your kids watch."
Cell phones and cameras
Personal privacy is harder to find when people can snap pictures quickly
and easily on their phones.
- Talk to your kids about appropriate and inappropriate camera use.
- Talk to your kids about the consequences of putting incriminating
or inappropriate pictures and videos on public sites like YouTube
or MySpace.
- Make sure your kids know to not send personal photographs online
to people they don't know.
Cell phones and the Internet
- It can still be very expensive to access the Internet -- resulting
in cell phone bills teens and parents weren't planning on. If you
do allow Internet access on phones, set limits to online time.
- Kids can download inappropriate messages or pictures off the Internet
and send them to their friends. Talk about cell phone "etiquette."
Cell phones and Music
Many phone companies are launching features where favorite songs can be
stored on cell phones. Because of this, parents should consider:
- Buying music online can be expensive -- help your kids create
a music budget.
-
It is easier to "impulse buy" when you can buy music online
straight from your cell phone. Talk to your kids about how and when
to buy music.
-
Ask your kids what they are listening to on their phones. Try to
listen to it.
Review the cell phone bill with your child. Make sure the expenses are
what you both had planned on.
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