Kids Cell Phone "Rules"

I think you've got a good handle on it.

As far as the contract, the only things I would change would be
1) Drop the "unless it's an emergency" from the part about not using it at school. In an emergency they need to follow the directions of the adults at the school. Trying to call for help themselves, or call YOU actually ENDANGERS them, you, and others around.
2) I'd change all the "may" and "can" about what parents do to "will."

Other than that, go for it.

MzKitty:

Ours are NOT ALLOWED to call or text after 9PM unless it is an EMERGENCY!!!

No foul words are to be used in texts.
No inappropriate pictures.
No phones at the dinner table - ANY MEAL...

They are responsible for their phones. Should they lose them, it comes out of their allowance should they lose them.

Have the phones charge every night in your care. 1. so they are not on the phone at 2 am and 2. so that when you need to reach them, the phones are charged. They should not have the phone when they don't need it. I don't know when your 9 yr old would need one, but for the 12 yr old, the child can call when there's an afterschool activity, take it to a friend's house, etc. They should not be in use during school hours.

ETA: show them how to check their minutes and make sure that they know that they must always have enough minutes to call home. This is the modern equivalent of having a quarter in your pocket. If you cannot contact them when you need to or they can't contact you, then the phone is not effective. If they cannot keep x minutes on the phone, then they are not mature enough for a phone. My SD got hers at 10 (also pay as you go) and it was just a glorified toy. She never charged it, etc. My SS got his at 13 and took good care of it. SD didn't really need it. SS did. Personality traits aside, I think that was part of the reason why.

What kind of phones are they? Do they have texting capability? Can they go online? Can they download stuff? Can they play games on them?

If they have plain Jane phones that are for calling only, then tell them that they may not have them on at school. They can turn them on after the bell for the end of school rings. And then before bedtime, collect the phones. No going to bed with them - you don't want them gabbing with their friends after hours.

I would not bank on your "contract" with them. Especially for texting. They will not "get" that they have out-texted their allotment, and if you actually have to pay for texts over a certain amount, you'll owe a lot more money. If that's not the way your deal works, and the texting just quits at some point, then that's a good way for them to learn.

Lastly, don't let them bring their phones to the table when you all eat, including at restaurants. They'll never look at you again! :)

Good luck!
Dawn

This is a great idea ! When I was studying to teach parenting, we learned about contracts. They r great if you are consistent. If they do break a rule, you must follow through w/ the consequence immediately. How long will the phone be taken away?

You might want to add a "code" word ---in case of a true emergency.

Idea:
If the phone is not on the kitchen table by 8pm, then, it goes on the table at 7 pm the next night w/ no questions asked.

We have most the same rules as listed below, but also have told our child there is NO expectation of privacy, ever. We can (and do) cease her phone at any given time to review the content of texts. Yes, she can delete them but we tell her not to bother... If we hear her texting a lot and then look and there isnt much activity there, she is presumed guilty. Same rules apply to email. Good luck!

Just wanted to say: I love your contract in the SWH. What a great idea.

The only thing I would add is "I will not use this phone to make prank calls." I have heard of kids using their cell phones to prank/tease other kids and upset them. Unfortunately, the police get involved pretty quickly-- other parents don't take lightly threats of "I'm coming to get you." Kids tend to think this is just one more way to 'play' with their friends and it can get out of control pretty quickly.

My daughter has a Cellphone too, I think its neat that you have a contract to sign but I think my daughter is a little too old for that! Lol some of the same rules apply she'll be 14 this month I let her use the internet, and text at night sometimes. I think its good for kids to have cellphones especially times now, but I dont think kids under 3rd grade should have one! Lol

I agree with every mom below and I love your contract idea for the ages of your kids. I have one thing that I would take OUT of your contract:

"I understand that my mom and/or step dad may take my phone away if I do not keep up my grades at school, keep my room clean and organized or if I am being disrespectful in any way".

I understand why you put that condition in there... but it inherently doesn't make sense.
I would only take away the phone if they are misusing the phone.
If you tie the PHONE to other behaviors then it's a punishment and in doing so you make life harder ON YOU (because then you can't get a hold of them if you need to). I am pretty big on natural consequences and having them fit the crime, rather than *punishments* that aren't related.

For example:
If they don't get good grades, the consequence is increased study time and/or a parent or tutor has to be more closely involved with their school work. They will naturally have LESS time to do fun things with their friends like going places or talking on the phone or texting or playing video games or watching TV. Because the most important thing they have to do as a student is learn the material. They still have their phone. You didn't *take it away* which will do nothing more than piss them off. YOU aren't inconvenienced by their bad grades.

If they don't clean their room.... now they have to miss out on something fun because their room is not clean and they have to have a clean room before they are able to do extra stuff. Sometimes mom gets involved in the clean room (which, really, is a fate almost worse than death to my daughter). it's important to have a clean room because it shows you respect your home, so right after homework and studying and practice for any commitments you have (piano, etc) all time is spent actively cleaning the room and if they can't do it on their own then I am in there giving them individual direction on what to clean (this I have only had to do about twice in her 12 years). The extra time spent in her room will naturally leave her less time on the phone. But you didn't take it away (other than she can't have it while she is cleaning) because that would inconvenience YOU.

Now, if they misuse the phone then all bets are off. But even then.... I would get them a phone that is programmed with numbers for people they CAN call in an emergency, and block everything else. Again.... misuse of the phone means no more calling friends or texting. it DOESN'T mean that they lose the way for YOU to communicate with them.

Make sense?