| When it comes to communication, times have | | | | times. |
| definitely changed. When we were kids, talking to | | | | Another way kids talk to each other without actually |
| each other meant an occasional phone call, or waiting | | | | speaking is via text message. This form of chatting |
| until we saw each other in school the next day. Now, | | | | requires a teen (or even a younger child) to have a |
| teens and even younger children have access to so | | | | cell phone equipped with text messaging software |
| many forms of communication that they are never | | | | and service. Text messaging services can be bundled |
| at a loss to talk to each other. Chatting via instant | | | | with your regular cell phone service, or they can be |
| messenger, email and even cell phone text messages | | | | an additional fee-based service (where you are |
| are all commonplace for today's youth - but what | | | | charged either per text or a flat fee per month). |
| does all of this technology mean for parents? Here | | | | Text messaging offers kids a way to send short |
| are some facts you should know about the way kids | | | | messages to each other via the cell phone, but does |
| talk with each other. | | | | not require actually speaking on the phone. While this |
| Chances are, you have a computer that's hooked up | | | | can be good for occasional use, sometimes kids get |
| to the Internet in your home. This means that your | | | | a bit caught up text messaging and can either run up |
| children have the ability to talk to their friends via | | | | large bills or disrupt their classes in school. If you are |
| email (electronic mail) or instant messaging programs. | | | | planning to let your child use text messaging on their |
| If kids want to talk to each other in real time, instant | | | | cell phone, it's important to teach them about proper |
| messaging is the way to go - users just download a | | | | usage. |
| simple program (two popular ones are AOL Instant | | | | Today's youth has many more choices when it |
| Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger) and they are able | | | | comes to staying in touch - and while this can be a |
| to type messages to each other as long as both | | | | good thing, it may also be disruptive to important |
| parties have the program. This form of | | | | aspects of their lives such as school work. As a |
| communication can be great for keeping in touch with | | | | parent, be sure to make your child aware of proper |
| friends, but can also invite unwanted strangers to try | | | | computer and cell phone usage, and keep yourself |
| to talk with your children. It's important to make sure | | | | informed about your child's activities both on line and |
| you know what your kids are doing on line at all | | | | in real life. |