Teens go to rehab for cell phone addiction
Categories: Teens & tweens, Health & safety, Weird but true
Are your kids getting a little close to their cell phone? Two Spanish children kids, ages 12 and 13, were recently sent to rehab for their cell phone addictions. Their parents say that the children's addictions were making them lie, do poorly in school, and created a situation where they could no longer live a normal life. The children had owned their cell phones for a year and a half, but their parents didn't put any restrictions on their use until the troubling behavior started.While this is obviously an extreme situation, cell phone responsibility is definitely something that tweens and teens need to be taught. Though cell phones are a convenient way for parents and kids to stay in touch, they've been linked poor sleep habits in kids, cyber-bullying, cheating on tests, and even car accidents. About.com tells dads how to talk to their kids about responsible cell phone use, while Suite 101 has a few more idea about how to handle that very first cell phone.
Does your tween or teen have a cell phone? How do you help them manage it responsibly?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Terri 6-21-2008 @ 9:05PM
There is an easier solution than rehab. Take control! I'm sure the kids aren't paying the cell bill. I took my daughter's cell away. Abuse it - lose it.
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Erin 6-21-2008 @ 10:04PM
My kids have cells. It's pay as you go as they are a little young but my eldest has to walk to middle school so I wanted the peace of mind of his having it. They are prohibited from calling anyone but mom and dad unless a TRUE emergency. So far so good but it's only been 3 months!
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ninainindia 6-22-2008 @ 2:36AM
This doesn't make any sense. These parents should just take away the phone. No rehab needed.
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nikki 6-22-2008 @ 2:56AM
Why when there is a topic of any type of situation, it is always stated as a person's race, religion or nationality. In this topic, the second sentence is Two Spanish children. Why couldn't it be just two children and no mention that they were Spanish. I mean really, that is just totally sick on how our society is, and also how they put two spanish children kids, what the hell is that? Children kids...I think these reporters need to brush up on their reporting and minus the nationality of the kids, and also learn to write a better paragraph.. As far as cell phone use among tweens and teens, get rid of the text messenger and the online use of a cell phone. My children have cell phones for them to call home, and they are prepaid. Once they go over their minutes, they can't get anymore until the following month, so they become a little bit more responsible, and there aren't any extras that come with the phone. It is all blocked.
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Jeff 6-23-2008 @ 1:04PM
Nikki, while I agree with you in general regarding your comments on the nationality of people in news stories being irrelevant at times, I think you're jumping the gun here.
The story is from Spain. The reporting of the children being Spanish is to inform the reader about the nation where this took place, which is relevant to the story.
I also believe the commenters so far are underestimating generalized addiction. If indeed these children are truly addicted to the activity, simply taking away the device won't solve anything. If this is simply a case of children abusing their phone privliges, then yes, no worries.
Addicted to alcohol? Oh, we'll just take away your booze. Problem solved. Um.... no.
Don 6-23-2008 @ 7:20AM
This is an easy fix, take said phone place on ground, stomp on phone until you have multiple pieces. Or call your cell phone carrier and tell them to disconnect the phone line, if you are unable to actually break said phone.
Then look your kid in the eyes and say to them a phone is not your only way to communicate with the world. Use your time in a more better way not by worshiping a cheap piece of plastic.
Why is it so difficult to explain to your children that every thing should be taken in moderation? To much of any one thing can have a negative effect.
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