| Many of the new technologies available to families are | | | | I like cell phones, but children need to be monitored, |
| amazing, but there are many potential problems | | | | (especially pre-teens and teenagers). Children don't |
| associated with these advancements. Things like | | | | need a cell phone in their room. As a matter of fact, |
| cell-phones, computers, internet games, vehicles, and | | | | they don't need any phone in their room. You'll have |
| televisions are wonderful devices. But...they can | | | | greater success of enforcing curfews if your children |
| present devastating problems for parents if they are | | | | don't have electronic devices in their rooms. |
| not willing to monitor the devices. | | | | We keep a centrally located phone. It's a little |
| Children today are like children of all ages; they will | | | | inconvenient at times, but children learn to use the |
| push their parents as far as they can. I was not a | | | | device in moderation. They learn by watching their |
| model child. I bent the rules as far as I possibly could. | | | | parents. If you are moderate in your actions your |
| The advantage my parents had over parents today is | | | | children will be more successful in being moderate in |
| children didn't have all the devices to circumvent | | | | their actions. |
| parental controls. | | | | Don't buy cell phones with all the bells and whistles. Buy |
| The best method of training children is to communicate | | | | cell phones that can be tracked. When your children |
| to them using electronic devices are not a right but a | | | | go on an outing, date, or other event give them a cell |
| privilege. Misuse of the devices must be followed by | | | | phone with a tracking device. Let them know the cell |
| strict controls. The quicker this message is | | | | phone must be on them at all times. You will be calling |
| communicated to your children the better. | | | | periodically. (Follow up by calling them more frequently |
| Children should not be given total control of any device | | | | on their first outings and cut back on the calls gradually |
| that can be used to communicate with people outside | | | | over time if they are obedient.) This will definitely assist |
| of your home. That is a recipe for disaster. | | | | you in keeping your children safe. Be sure to retrieve |
| I am not an alarmist, but I am a pragmatist. Full trust | | | | the cell phone after the event. |
| should never be given children until it's earned. Love is | | | | If the child is compliant with your rules then give them a |
| freely given, trust must be earned. | | | | little more freedom with the phone as you see fit. |
| Cell Phone suggestions: | | | | Credentials |
| Most children do not believe bad things can happen to | | | | My wife and I have raised one daughter, three |
| them. Character is not something children possess | | | | grandsons, and fifteen foster children. These |
| from birth; it must be taught by their parents. As your | | | | suggestions are the result of years of practical |
| child exhibits maturity in one area give him a little more | | | | experience. |
| freedom, but do it in very small increments. | | | | |