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Adolescence can be a time for tremendous growth for a young man or a young woman, particularly when it comes to taking on responsibility. And one responsibility that can involve a steep learning curve is cell phone use. Parenting experts now say that children as young as 13 should be disciplined enough to keep track of their cell phone use.

While some individuals view cell phones as a luxury for teenagers, others see them as necessities in this high-tech age. Cell phones allow parents to keep tabs on their teens at a time when their sons and daughters may be experimenting with their new-found independence. It is vitally important, then, that teens know how to handle a cell phone responsibly.

Cell phones can be helpful in teaching teens the virtue of time management. If they have a plan with a limited number of free minutes during the day, they'll need to learn how to use their "talk time" wisely. In addition, if they share a plan with you, they'll also need to learn how to show respect to others.

Needless to say, a teen with a cell phone will also need to learn effective money management techniques. While cell phones can be a cost-efficient way to place calls, they can also be quite expensive, depending on when and how they're used. Generally speaking, parenting experts recommend that mothers and fathers pay for basic service for their teens, but require their sons and daughters to pay for any add-ons, such as special ring tones and text messaging features.

Moreover, if the teen actually ends up breaking or losing the phone, he or she should have to pay for a replacement. In this way, parents can teach their teens to be as responsible as possible with their cell phone use. Teens can gain a feeling of independence, while they can also learn that consequences await them if they fail to act responsibly.

But before a teenager even has a cell phone in hand, it's important that parents inform him or her of all their expectations regarding cell phone use. Parents should also be willing to set limits-otherwise, they may find that their teen is constantly talking on the cell. Unless such limits are in place, parents could find themselves facing some unexpected bills.

If necessary, write down the "house rules" regarding cell phone use. That way, you'll be minimizing any confusion, and your children will not be able to claim that they didn't know what was expected of them. The rules should then be posted on a place where they are clearly visible at all times, such as the refrigerator door.

Teens should also be aware of the fact that, if they fail to answer calls from their parents, they could find their cell phone privileges taken away. At first, such rules may seem unnecessarily harsh, but they can be quite helpful in helping to maintain family harmony over the long term. So, feel free to purchase a cell phone for your teen-and watch that teen mature into a responsible cell phone customer.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:03 AM