On a recent family beach vacation, my tween daughter and I took daily strolls down to a nearby pier and back. We fondly referred to these jaunts as our "girl time walks." Those twenty to thirty minute sessions of trekking through wet sand and getting smacked by an occasional wave provided us one-on-one time to discuss many life topics. Of course, the people-watching was fun too.

While on one of our “girl time walks” we spent most of our journey discussing technology and how vastly different it is today than it was when I was her age. Although our children are aware of how things used to be through nostalgic conversations, books, and yes, various forms of technology; our conversation on this day was more detailed, more real to her. She was amazed that when I was a kid there were only three or four channels available on television, cell phones were only found in science fiction, and if you didn’t know someone’s phone number or exact street address it would take the Canadian Mounties to track them down. Satellite television, DVRs, iPhones and GPS units were futuristic to a kid raised in the country in the 70s and 80s.

She listened wide-eyed, amazed that talking on the phone to my friends meant winding the phone cord around our breakfast bar and wedging myself between the wall and the floor in our kitchen in order to hear my friends over the latest episode of "Dallas." Any chance at privacy was a foreign concept. Sharing old funny stories provided the perfect segue into a more in-depth discussion of modern technology.

Technology’s benefits and drawbacks can simultaneously make a parent’s job easier AND more difficult. Since technology is such a pervasive element of modern life, Little Rock Family will feature “Technology Tamer” articles throughout the year to help arm central Arkansas families with knowledge and increase positive effects of technology on their lives.

This month’s article is about cell phones. My family recently purchased new family cell phones using the guidelines and considerations provided here.

My first piece of advice to anyone, parents and kids alike, is to remember that you can control your end of technology as much as possible. But, there is no full-proof control over what other people do with technology and how it might touch you. Although my cellular gadget was brand-new, my new phone number was previously assigned to someone else. While making dinner one night, I received a text—a stranger sent me inappropriate pictures believing she was reaching the previous owner of my number. What if this had been sent to a child accidentally, or worse, on purpose? Hmmm…food for thought.

Cell phones are now more challenging to control, because they are no longer just cell phones. They are cameras, gaming systems and internet terminals all rolled up into a package of parental angst. For this reason, it’s vitally important to set boundaries for cell phone use to hinder potential cell phone abuse. If you do not, your child will be tempted, possibly in very harmful ways. Always remember: Even good kids make bad choices sometimes.

Cell Phone Rulebook

1. Research the options. Choose a cell phone plan for your child with reasonable limits.
2. Find out what types of parental controls are available.
3. They should never answer calls or texts from people they do not know.
4. It is best for them to have the automated voice mail message, so their gender and youth cannot be identified by possible predators.
5. Keep cell phone use in check by creating cell-phone-free zones or times.
6. Charge all cell phones in a common, open area at night. They do not need to go into any child’s room for charging after lights out.
7. Set a good example. Model balanced, respectful behavior. Don’t neglect your family because you are too absorbed in your own cell phone.
8. Review your monthly cell phone bill with your child, making sure the expenses are what you agreed upon.
9. Monitor your bills for usage and be open about looking through your kids’ texts. This may feel like an invasion of privacy. Assure them you are not trying to be a nosey Nellie. You’re just double checking for their safety. Remind them that they are minors, and you are responsible for their well-being.
10. Talk about cell phone bullying and any other situations they may encounter. They should let you know of any harassing calls or texts they receive.
11. Have a rule of no cell phone use of any kind while driving.
12. Talk to your kids about “sexting” (sending sexually-suggestive photos or comments through text messages). Make sure they know this is dangerous behavior that it is not allowed.
13. Cell phone numbers should not be shared online and should only be shared with people they know and like personally.
14. Set meaningful consequences for violations of family cell phone rules.
15. Weigh the pros and cons of activating the locator device on their phones. Keep in mind that if you can find your kids, so can a stranger.
16. Lastly, remind your children about appropriate cell phone manners.