How to Monitor a Teen's Cellphone Use

Install monitoring software. Before you hand the cellphone to your teen, take some time to investigate and install monitoring software on the device. Although your teen may balk and grumble and accuse you of invading her privacy, monitoring software will help you keep tabs on her mobile activity, including her text messages, emails and Web browsing. If she has her driver̵7;s license, install software that makes the phone inoperable (except for emergency calls) while she̵7;s driving. The type of software you can install depends on the make and model of your teen's phone.

Set the ground rules on the day you hand your teen the cellphone. If your child will be using a smartphone, explain the rules for using the Web browser, downloading apps and music, texting and emailing. Discuss his school̵7;s cellphone use policy, and inform him that you will abide by this policy if the phone is confiscated. Establish rules for cellphone use past bedtime, even if this means that he̵7;s required to give you his phone every night before he heads to his bedroom. Reinforce the rules about using his phone while he̵7;s driving. Tell him he is not permitted, under any circumstances, to text while driving. If his phone is equipped with a camera, discuss the safety concerns related to ̶0;sexting̶1; and sharing photos and videos. Finally, let him know you reserve the right to ask for his phone at any time, and point out the monitoring software so that he knows you̵7;ll be able to review his cellphone activity at any time.

Establish consequences. Of course, there may come a time when your teen chooses not to follow a rule. Perhaps she̵7;s caught using her phone at school, or you learn that she sent a few texts while she was driving. At the same time you discuss the rules with her, talk with her about the consequences of breaking them, and be sure to include your teen̵7;s input in the establishment of the consequences to reinforce accountability. Depending on the severity of the infraction, consequences can include the loss of the phone over a period of a few hours or a few days, removal of all Internet privileges or loss of the phone completely.

Conduct random ̶0;spot checks." Even if you have monitoring software installed on your teen̵7;s phone, periodically ask him to hand it over so that you can scan his text messages, emails and browsing history. He will likely complain about the invasion of privacy, but as his parent, you have the right to know who he is communicating with and what websites he is visiting.

Keep tabs on the bill. To make sure your teen isn̵7;t racking up hundreds of dollars in app downloads or overage charges, be sure to periodically check her cellphone use by accessing your online billing. Once there, you̵7;ll be able to see the numbers your child is calling and the date and length of each of those calls. You̵7;ll also be able to see how many text messages she is sending and receiving and whether she has downloaded anything.