Punishment for Texting in Class for Your Teen

Many teenagers appear to be permanently attached to their cell phones, and prying them away -- even while in school -- is often difficult. If your teen̵7;s favorite pastime is texting, you might find that he is texting during class when he should be doing schoolwork and listening to the teacher. Although most schools have strict rules regarding cell phone use during school hours, following up with additional consequences at home is essential.

  1. Loss of Phone

    • The most effective consequence for texting in class is to take your teen̵7;s phone away if his teacher or an administrator did not. Remove all phone privileges for a week for the first offense. If he continues texting in class, take the phone away for two weeks or a month. Unless there is a safety concern, do not allow your teen to take his phone to school. He can check it out with you when he gets home and turn it in to you before he leaves for school.

    Remove Texting

    • Taking away your teenagers phone may not be an option if he needs it in case of emergency or for other safety reasons. You can remove the texting feature from your teen̵7;s phone. Most cell phone companies offer the option to block all texting on the line. If this is not an option with your phone company, you may be able to find him a different cell phone that does not support text messaging or transfer him to a prepaid phone service without texting.

    Extra Schoolwork

    • Your teen probably isn̵7;t listening to the teacher̵7;s lecture or completing his class work If he's texting in class. Give him extra study time after school in the subject that was interrupted by his texting habit. You can also create additional assignments, such as a report, for him to complete for you rather than for the teacher. Ideally, the extra study time or assignments should be completed before he is allowed use his phone, hang out with his friends, watch TV or play video games.

    Additional Consequences

    • Set an established set of rules ahead of time so your teenager knows what to expect. The next time he is caught texting in class, follow through with additional consequences. Give him extra chores to do in and around the house. This could include doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, scrubbing the bathroom or pulling weeds. Remove other items of distraction such as television or video games. Other privileges, such as going out with friends or having friends over, can also be restricted, as well as after school activities.

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