Teenagers and Cell Phones

[GrandmaBfly1]

Wow, just watched Dr. Phil on the OWN station. It was about the way teenage girls are using their cell phones. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing from these teenagers. Where is their head at? The one girl kept saying, "all my friends do it, I am a teenager and, that is what teenagers are suppose to do."

Cell phones had not been invented yet when I raised my girls back in the 70's and 80's. In fact, our phone was attached to the wall with a cord. I use to get the 13 foot cord so we could move around while talking on the phone and, this cord was totally stretched out of shape. I have to laugh now that I look back at the phone situation.

Being a single parent, it was all I could do to afford a roof over our head, food in the house, a phone for emergencies and, a clothing for the girls. The stations we got on the TV although limited, were Free. So much has changed in the past 50 years.

There are so many thing people feel are now necessities in life. I asked my daughter why she felt the kids needed a cell phone in the first place as I watch her struggle trying to make ends meet. Her response was, " I have to be able to get in touch with my kids". 

Now I know the teenage years are the most difficult for most parents. In fact, I would take the terrible 2's anyday over the teenage years. The use of the cell phone has completely gotten out of control after listening to Dr. Phil today. Teenagers make friends on the social networks and then send nude pictures of themselves to the strangers they meet. That was only a portion of the show. Then Dr. Phil talked about this monitoring software a parent can get to monitor the messages the teenager would get, along with their responses.

I really thought raising a teenager was hard back in the day but, I now see that it has gotten even more difficult through the years with the addition of the new technology. I feel sorry for the parents who are raising teenagers these days. Not only for the added expenses they are now encountering but also, the extra problems which could be created from the teenager using the cell phone.

My heart definately goes out to all the parents out there and, I wish the best of luck to all of you. Do you have teenagers? Does your teenagers have a cell phone? Can you trust your teen?