Four out of five teenagers have a cell phone, and 57 percent state it's the key to their social life, according to a survey by the Harris Interactive research group and the CTIA Wireless Association. Many teens start using cell phones as children and that is where they develop good or bad habits. They will hopefully carry good etiquette into their later years if they learn it early.
Boundaries
Cindy Post Senning, great-granddaughter of etiquette expert Emily Post, recommends drawing boundaries on children's cell phone use. Youngsters should initially be given a phone for safety. Senning recommends doing this around middle school and forbidding your youngster from making frequent or long calls to her friends. Continue to set limits as children get older, and make rules on times when the cell phone cannot be used at all. For example, it is good etiquette not to use the phone during meals and in certain places, such as movie theaters and houses of worship.
Restrictions
Children should learn to follow restrictions on cell phone use at school. This usually includes both phone calls and texting. Warren Buckleitner, Gadgetwise columnist for the "New York Times," explains that many schools impose penalties, including phone confiscation and detention, for breaking the rules. Let your child deal with the consequences if he breaks the rules. This reinforces the importance of good cell phone etiquette and respect for authority.
Effects
Make children aware of how their cell phone use affects others, even in places where phone use is allowed. Jan Faull, MEd, a writer for Parents.com, explains that youngsters should not use loud, annoying ring tones. They should step at least 10 feet away from other people when making or taking calls and use a normal voice volume. They should excuse themselves and step into another room or area if necessary to avoids disturbing others.
Considerations
Most cell phone etiquette is centered on the child's use of the phone, but Buckleitner explains that it sometimes involves sharing. He advises teaching children to use or loan their phones to help others. For example, they can assist a phoneless peer whose parents have not shown up to give an expected ride after soccer practice or another activity. This does not mean lending out the cell phone for non-emergency purposes. Careless friends can quickly use up minutes or rack up text message fees on a borrowed phone. Children should balance good manners with the ability to say no when appropriate.
Warning
Parents must set a proper example if they expect their children to use good cell phone etiquette. Senning warns that parents should not set rules, then answer their own phones in a checkout line while dealing with the cashier or in a movie theater during the show. Children are observant and follow what they see.
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