Brb … went 2 da mall w/ my 2 bff Brittany and Michele.  We will b back @ 11 or so idk the exact time.  Sry I didn’t tell u earlier.  Plz change laundry from washer 2 dryer.  ttyl.  Gtg Samantha   

?4u – Can you interpret the paragraph above?  If you are the parent of a tween or teen and this looks like Greek to you, you have some homework to do. When it comes to technology it is a whole new world and if parents aren’t careful they can get left in the dust.

“Being a teenager hasn't changed because of the Internet and cell phones, but technology is reshaping teenagers' relationships with each other, with their parents and teachers, and with the world,” said Anastasia Goodstein, author of Totally Wired: What Teens and Tweens are Really Doing Online. “While most parents view the Internet as a positive force in the lives of teens, they probably couldn't tell you exactly what their teens are doing online during the hours they spend on the computer with the door closed. And unfortunately, many parents haven't made the time or built a relationship where they feel comfortable asking.”

We now have a generation of kids who don’t know what it is like NOT to have technology who are colliding with a generation of parents who for the most part are not real techno savvy.  While some parents may want to stick their head in the sand and refuse to go any further than using a cell phone for calls and a computer for email, Goodstein encourages them to educate themselves so they know what all this technology is capable of doing.
 
Parents used to be able to pick up the land line and tell their teen when it was time to get off the phone.  Now through texting and IMing teens have the ability to be in touch with their friends 24/7 without their parents having a clue. 

According to a recent online survey by Teenage Research Unlimited, nearly a quarter of teens in a relationship have communicated with a boyfriend or girlfriend hourly between midnight and 5 a.m. via cell phone or texting.  One in six communicated 10 or more times an hour through the night.  Many experts claim that texting is contributing to sleep deprivation because most kids sleep with their phone right next to them.  Every time the phone vibrates or pings it is hard to resist the temptation to pick it up. 

“Whether parents wholeheartedly embrace the technology or not they need to be involved with setting limits for the use of it,” said Ms. Goodstein.  “We have to guard against letting technology replace face to face communication.  I think parents need to talk with their kids about appropriate technology etiquette.  For example it isn’t appropriate to text your friend about another friend who is standing right next to you or to break up with someone by texting him/her.  Teens need to know that there are certain social situations where it is not appropriate to be texting and that you don’t use texting lingo when you are writing a paper for school.
Here are some additional tips for helping your teens use technology wisely:

Keep computers and phones out of the bedroom

Talk to your teen about their digital lives - Have them show you where they hang out on line. Ask them to show you their favorite game and then play it with them.  If you aren’t a techno wizard, ask them to teach you.

Set limits – While your teen may chafe at being restricted this is your job as a parent.  Deep down they appreciate boundaries.   Limit multitasking when studying.

Teach cyberethics - Emphasize what's different about bullying online, the public nature of the internet, plagiarism and cheating.

No texting while driving – A  national survey of 1,000 16 and 17-year-old drivers conducted by AAA showed that 46 percent of these teens said they send text messages with their cell phones while driving.  While there is little evidence at this point linking texting while driving to car accidents, according to a 2001 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16-year-old drivers have a crash rate three times higher than that of 17-year-olds, five times greater than 18-year-olds and almost 10 times greater than drivers ages 30-59.

All cells phones off at the dinner table - According to a recent Disney Mobile survey, 28 percent of teens surveyed said they sent text messages from the dinner table.  Research shows that the dinner table is one of the best ways for a family to engage each other in conversation and connect.  If people are sitting around the table texting it is pretty hard for any connecting to happen. 

 
“Teens have always had the desire to stay connected to each other,” said Ms. Goodstein.  “Now they have a lot more tools to use to stay in touch.   It is really up to parents to help them learn how and when to use technology to enhance all of their relationships.