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Young people texting

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karrie
#1 Nov 23rd, 2011
Yes, I have caved to technology, and my daughter is allowed to text (via her iPod) her cousins who live far away, her aunts and uncles, her grandparents, her parents, and people she babysits for. One of the key rules we have regarding her use of text messages though is that she type full words, no abbreviations until she knows how to actually spell for real. Also she's not allowed to text kids from school.

What are your views on tech and kids? What are your rules for their use of it?
 
SLM
#2

Re: Young people texting

Nov 23rd, 2011
Well, my kids aren't young. But I will say that both my kids live far away from me and we all communicate most often through text and IM (BBM). It's like anything else really, it's all in how you use it. Texting can be a way to stay in touch with those you don't see on a regular basis. It's all the little things that go on in our day to day lives that those who don't live nearby can miss out on. They may not seem important, and on their own they probably aren't, but collectively they can help us feel more included in each other's lives.

Of course on the flip side of that, you can easily get carried away and too absorbed in it. Anyone can, at any age. So with kids, clear defined boundaries are always the way to go. But that's probably true of most things when it comes to kids.
 
gerryh
+2
#3  Top Rated Post

Re: Young people texting

Nov 23rd, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by karrie View Post

Yes, I have caved to technology, and my daughter is allowed to text (via her iPod) her cousins who live far away, her aunts and uncles, her grandparents, her parents, and people she babysits for. One of the key rules we have regarding her use of text messages though is that she type full words, no abbreviations until she knows how to actually spell for real. Also she's not allowed to text kids from school.

What are your views on tech and kids? What are your rules for their use of it?


It's about time you allowed your kids to join the 21st century.
 
TenPenny
+1
#4

Re: Young people texting

Nov 23rd, 2011
My kids are 11 and 14, and I rely on them texting me. The older one texts me with her phone when she needs to be picked up or taken to a hockey or soccer practice, the younger one uses her ipod. They also communicate with others on the team, if they need a drive or things like that.

I don't care if they use full words, or abbreviations. To text on my phone is a pain, so I often use abbreviations.

It's useful communication, so I have no objection.

Text messages are extremely useful.
 
IdRatherBeSkiing
+1
#5

Re: Young people texting

Nov 23rd, 2011
My 10 going on 11 year old is lobbying for a cell phone. Main reason is his best friend has one. We haven't given in because why does a 10 year old need a cell phone?

If he's going to have a phone, texting is ok assuming you have a plan for it or its one of those iMessage things over WiFi.

Now myself, I can't live without texting. 1.5 years ago, I never texted.
 
karrie
#6

Re: Young people texting

Nov 23rd, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by IdRatherBeSkiing View Post

My 10 going on 11 year old is lobbying for a cell phone. Main reason is his best friend has one. We haven't given in because why does a 10 year old need a cell phone?

If he's going to have a phone, texting is ok assuming you have a plan for it or its one of those iMessage things over WiFi.

Now myself, I can't live without texting. 1.5 years ago, I never texted.

If you live where he's always on wifi, then an iPod works just as well as a cell phone.
 
WLDB
#7

Re: Young people texting

Nov 23rd, 2011
Whenever I talk to kids, which isnt often, I'm surprised by how much they know and how savvy they are with technology. Most of them know a lot more than me. I guess its always been around for them.

Do not underestimate them. I used to work for Rogers and got plenty of calls from parents complaining about bills their kids racked up with texting. Sometimes over $1000 in texting and downloads. Hell, one kid was ordering porn through their phone and billing it to the phoneline.
 
VanIsle
#8

Re: Young people texting

Nov 23rd, 2011
Like everything these days - texting has it's place. I guess it depends on the kids. My 13 yr. old grandson is so wrapped up in texting his friends he has no idea anyone is even speaking to him. Time and again I watch him lose the priviledge just for that very reason. My 12 yr. old grandson is the complete opposite. He has rules and he actually follows them. He can't text because he doesn't have a phone that does that. Has my old phone. Grampa hates his phone so - I'm going to propose that the two switch phones so our grandson can text. He might as well use the phone the way it's meant to be used. Grampa leaves it on a shelf in the kitchen.
 
Bar Sinister
+1
#9

Re: Young people texting

Nov 24th, 2011
For many texting seems to be an obsession. Whenever I see a large group of people on TV I scan the crowd to see how many people are texting. I have seen people texting during NHL hockey games, the World Series, the Stanley Cup riots in Vancouver, and in the most extreme case during the recent earthquake in Turkey. While dozens of people milled about in the streets here was this calm young man, cell phone in hand sending out a message. I can just imagine what it was - "OMG earthquake. Dozens killed and injured. I'm fine LOL."

As for me I don't text. I don't even own a cell phone.
 
IdRatherBeSkiing
#10

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by karrie View Post

If you live where he's always on wifi, then an iPod works just as well as a cell phone.

True. But he is actually lobbying for a phone. Texting would be a bonus for him. I am not in a hurry to give in but probably will have to in a year or two. We have tied it to him behaving responsibility (not losing stuff) and it seems to be helping.
 
petros
#11

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
$17 for unlimitied 24/7 long distance speaking human to human is more appealing than 160 characters or less.
 
karrie
+1
#12

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by IdRatherBeSkiing View Post

True. But he is actually lobbying for a phone. Texting would be a bonus for him. I am not in a hurry to give in but probably will have to in a year or two. We have tied it to him behaving responsibility (not losing stuff) and it seems to be helping.


Well, before you get him a cell phone check into the current articles on the impact of cell phones on developing brains.

Cellphone call limits suggested by Health Canada - Health - CBC News
 
DurkaDurka
+1
#13

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by petros View Post

$17 for unlimitied 24/7 long distance speaking human to human is more appealing than 160 characters or less.

lol, the 1980's

Quote: Originally Posted by karrie View Post

Well, before you get him a cell phone check into the current articles on the impact of cell phones on developing brains.

Cellphone call limits suggested by Health Canada - Health - CBC News

Most people I know rarely use their devices as "phones" anymore, hence they're not to close to the head.
 
WLDB
#14

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurka View Post




Most people I know rarely use their devices as "phones" anymore, hence they're not to close to the head.

Indeed. I use mine mainly as a texting machine. I work at a call centre so I avoid being on a phone as much as possible.
 
DurkaDurka
#15

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by WLDB View Post

Indeed. I use mine mainly as a texting machine. I work at a call centre so I avoid being on a phone as much as possible.

I worked for Sympatico tech support way back, when Windows XP was new.

On average, I use about 45 minutes of voice per month. The rest is a couple thousand texts, couple gigs of data, games etc.
 
karrie
#16

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurka View Post

lol, the 1980's



Most people I know rarely use their devices as "phones" anymore, hence they're not to close to the head.

I needed to remind my mom that she could actually call me on my cell phone. lol. I text almost exclusively. Hubby and I can chat all day that way and I'm never interrupting his work.
 
DurkaDurka
+1
#17

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by karrie View Post

I needed to remind my mom that she could actually call me on my cell phone. lol. I text almost exclusively. Hubby and I can chat all day that way and I'm never interrupting his work.

I find texting so much easier, except if you are drunk. I have looked at some of my drunken txt messages and just shook my head, typos galore and usually quite crude haha!
 
IdRatherBeSkiing
#18

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurka View Post

I worked for Sympatico tech support way back, when Windows XP was new.

On average, I use about 45 minutes of voice per month. The rest is a couple thousand texts, couple gigs of data, games etc.

Quote: Originally Posted by karrie View Post

I needed to remind my mom that she could actually call me on my cell phone. lol. I text almost exclusively. Hubby and I can chat all day that way and I'm never interrupting his work.

I am the same way. I rarely call anybody or get called. Usually only work calls and calls from my son.

But I know his friend uses the phone part and monkey see, monkey want.

I have always found that these studies are primarly inconclusive or contradicorary. I think the issue is that they don't have the sample size to get accurate data.
 
karrie
#19

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurka View Post

I find texting so much easier, except if you are drunk. I have looked at some of my drunken txt messages and just shook my head, typos galore and usually quite crude haha!

It's the text version of hiccups. lol.
 
TenPenny
#20

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by DurkaDurka View Post

I find texting so much easier, except if you are drunk. I have looked at some of my drunken txt messages and just shook my head, typos galore and usually quite crude haha!

Really hard to text when you're driving. And even worse if you're driving drunk.
 
DurkaDurka
#21

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by TenPenny View Post

Really hard to text when you're driving. And even worse if you're driving drunk.

Yeah, I wouldn't suggest anyone texts and drives. I believe a Toronto Transit Driver got nailed for that a year back or so.
 
Corduroy
#22

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
How old is your daughter?
 
karrie
#23

Re: Young people texting

Nov 25th, 2011
Quote: Originally Posted by Corduroy View Post

How old is your daughter?

Eleven
 

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