Say TTYL to texting; parents turn to extreme measures to curb messaging

by Kim Pham

Entering the dark room, a nervous Michela Parmeggiani sat down at the commanding oak table. An imposing male figure was seated across from her, watching the beads of perspiration form on her face. He thrusted towards Michela a lengthy contract, which she read at jumpy speeds. Quickly, the twelve-year-old signed her name and returned the “Cellphone Usage Contract” back to her stern father; the Stoughton girl had agreed to terms that “I, Michela Parmeggiani, do promise to limit my cell phone use...NO TEXT MESSAGING IS ALLOWED ON THIS PHONE!...I, like, so totally agree.”

With soaring phone bills, parents are coming to unreasonable terms to control their kids' text messaging. Punishments range from long groundations to the actual revoking of the cell phone. For Michela Parmeggiani, her father took matters into his own hands when she sent her family's phone bill $220 higher than usual, using 1022 extra calling minutes and more than 200 text messages. He drew up a contract that would cut out text messaging and restrict her phone conversations.

However seemingly common Michela's case is nowadays, there was no need to write out a formal agreement. For young people, texting has become the equivalent of passing a note or whispering in someone's ear; the 'anywhere, anytime' type of communication has become this generation's way of keeping touch with one another. We shouldn't be punished for wanting to stay in the know of current affairs and gossip within the community.

Because of the instantaneousness of the text, cell phones have become a key item socially, especially in high school and college. Through texting, kids are able to constantly communicate, whether they are sitting in class, bored at work, or shopping at the mall. The text's straightforwardness appeals to the fast-paced world teens live in; instead of wasting time on the formalities of an oft-cumbersome phone call, we avoid it altogether by just jabbing several keys and pressing 'Send.'

Every once in awhile, news surfaces about the teens who rack up hundreds of dollars through these harmless messages. Upon receiving the phone bill, parents are dismayed and angered by extravagant charges, but every conceivable solution seems impossible. Depriving their child of communication is unthinkable, but paying nearly a thousand dollars is ridiculous as well. For Michela, her dad turned to a ridiculous written agreement that would keep his daughter in line over her excessive text messaging.

However, there are other available solutions that can easily keep teens' texting in control without the need for an official contract. For starters, parents should remind their teens to check their cell phone usage. Most carriers allow a way for users to review the number of text messages they have sent or how many minutes they have used online or through the phone. But if teens just can't break the habit, parents should look into text/picture message plans; they allow bundles of messages to be purchased (500, 1000, unlimited, etc.) for a set amount of money. T-Mobile subscribers can even sign up for a plan where, once the teen reaches a calling or message limit, the phone cannot be used (unless for 911 or to other T-Mobile users). Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T offer similar programs.

But if all else fails, don't resort to ludicrous contracts. Michela's texting might have gone a little overboard, but there was no need to draw up a formal contract and have her sign it.

Now if you'll excuse me, I just got a text message that I need to answer.