Texting Tips For Your TWEEN

Cell phones are ubiquitous nowadays and can serve as an important safety tool for your child. In fact, a 2008 Nielsen study reports that more than half of tweens ages 8 to 12 own a cell phone. Kids are going to text, hence it is important to teach your child how to behave responsibly early. Here are tips to help teach proper etiquette when using cell phones.

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1.) Texting should not replace face-to-face conversation - I recommend that children follow the 2 text rule. If your child is exchanging more than 2 texts with a friend, encourage them to pick up the phone and call. Texting should not replace quality time spent where they can bond with friends.

2.) Don't Be Rude - Texting while talking is considered rude as is answering a phone while in the middle of a conversation. Ask your child how they would feel if someone interrupted an important conversation to answer a text. Text messaging and cell phone etiquette requires tweens to think about how their actions make other people feel.

3.) Don't Text when Angry or Upset - Your tween should understand that once they send a text they cannot take it back. Encourage them to take time to calm down before sending an embarrassing angry text. In addition your child should avoid sending sarcastic remarks and spreading gossip. Such comments are often misunderstood and cause hard feelings when passed along in a text message.