Christmas has come and gone, and some were left with the Christmas gift of technology!  I know this was definitely the case for my 12 year old daughter.  While she was so excited to have her very own phone, it was a scary leap that I, as a parent, took on her behalf.  Realizing that she’s of the age now where she will be going off with friends more often and also wishing to stay home by herself to enjoy her new found independence, I felt it was time.  She needs to have the ability to call me at any given moment, and now it will be easier with her very own phone.

It’s such an exciting time for her, yet it’s so scary because I know the not-so-nice-side of the internet.  I realize the danger and what lurks out there.  I battle her need to communicate with others with the bad things that I know can be easily found on the internet.  You don’t even have to go looking for it.  Often times, it’s seeking you out.   That is why it is important to have some rules in place.

This morning, a friend shared this, and now I’d like to share it with others who may be having issues with their decision to put the gift of technology in their little one’s hands.

Click here for:  The Cell Phone Contract and Guidelines For Technology  or here for the entire article.

I encourage you to review, print, and discuss with your children as well.  I plan to do just that tonight with my daughter!

Here’s to safety first where our children and technology are concerned!