I am a member of the U.S. Cellular blogger Brigade, but all opinions are my own.
U.S. Cellular offers a FREE PRINTABLE Parent Child agreement to help you discuss safety of the Internet, cell phone usage, limits, and courtesy with your teen or tween. You don't even need to be a U.S. Cellular customer to access this, although I have been for 10 years and highly recommend them.
I think back and wonder what it would have been like to have today's technology when I was growing up. In some ways, I am glad we didn't. I was bullied in school, and I can't imagine how much worse it would have been if cyberbullying had existed. Yet, I can't help but think of all the photos I missed out on by not having a phone with me, fishing around for coins so I could call my mother and let her know Drama Club practice had let out, and friendships that faded away because of time and disconnect.
One thing I am certain, though, is if I had a cell phone when I was 13, which is the average age kids receive one, my parents would have made sure I truly understood how to be safe with it. My husband and I plan on foster / adopting, and before we even think of allowing a child a cell phone, we will sit down with them and go over U.S. Cellular's
FREE parent child agreement. I will also go over this with my child's school and teachers.