We addressed that problem a while ago when my teenage daughter started texting all day (and night!) long. Her grades dropped, her attention span was that of a gnat's. I realized the unlimited texting plan we had put her on to save us money was actually enabling her to text so much. Our solution? We got her a prepaid phone from Tracfone with enough minutes and texts to stay in touch with us and her friends without it becoming a problem. She can even buy more minutes if she runs out but then it comes out of her allowance. Problem solved without us looking like 'bad parents'.

My mother probably would have LOVED it if us kids had had cellphones as teenagers (80's); it would have made her life a lot easier. My kids pay for their own cellphones but its affordable by going under my family plan. A text message such as "I love you, Mom" to me during the day (not at school)...that's worth it right there to me.

Heres something to think about, Dont buy that child of yours a cell phone, let them make their own money, since they tend to know more than you, the parent does. If they want to get a cell phone, let them get a job, pay for it along with signing a two year contract with out the parents name on it.This way, since the child thinks they are all grown up, give them some responsibilities to prove they are grown up. We didnt have cell phones as a teen ager, we were more interested in earning money to buy a car, or cassetts.Parents tries to hard to be their kids best friend instead of parenting.

Best comment ever... thank you cranky!!

My teens have cell phones, they do sports at school and I dont feel the need to sit in the high school parking lot for hours waiting for them to get back. I get a call when they get close and I am there. However they do have to keep their grades up, help at home and if there is a problem, I have the parental controls and shut them down. Being a single parent of 4..it makes it a whole lot easier to work around their schedules and mine. Part of responsibility is knowing the rules and keeping to them to earn the phone.

Hey teens. Do you want to text until your fingers fall off and not get in trouble by your parents?? Try this--- GET UP OFF YOUR LAZY ASS AND GET A JOB, GET YOUR OWN CELL PLAN!!!

I don't see a need for a teen to have a cell phone anyway. Kids today have too much freedom and not enough responsibilites.

I say texting is okay. Just limit sexting. No more than SIX naked pictures per month.

Get them unlimited texting plans and turn off the Picture texting and all is fixed. No worries about going over the limit and no worries about sending/receiving unwanted photos.

Umm here's an idea, don't get the kid the d@mn phone if you are worried about what they are doing. Nearly all of us made it through our teen years without a cell phone, so why has it become such a necessity now???