The Buckets by Greg Cravens for August 03, 2012

I understand that most of us can’t afford to give our children cell phones, much less expensive smartphones with their expensive data plans. But other than that, smartphones are great tools for parenting. Yes, there is a risk of misuse by the kid, but with a few rules the smartphone is Big Brother’s dream come true: 1) It’s my phone, which I give to you for your use as well as mine.2) I will check the details of usage in my phone’s bills. I may even verify who’s the receiver of repeated phone calls and texts. And I will decide when such usage is excessive.3) I will verify where my phone is located at any time I want to using tools such as “Find my iPhone”.4) I will set up parenting-control features on my phone if and whenI want to. 5) Any attempt to tamper with the phone in a way I have not authorized will result in me confiscating it. You will hand me my phone whenever I request it.6) I will call my phone whenever I think it’s appropriate. I understand that in some cases it is impossible to answer, but then I expect you to return my call within 10 minutes. Failure to do so repeatedly without a satisfactory explanation will result in a loss of your phone. And yes, you should have told me you were going to that movie before going.7) I may want to video chat at times. You will turn the camera of my phone on when requested. (Of course some carriers don’t allow you to videochat on some phones through their cellular networks; I will know when I can videochat with you).8) Don’t expect me to replace my phone if you lose it or break it. You owe me a phone. And of course the replacement for my phone will also be mine.…. and so on. Of course the risk here is that they may get the money to buy their own phone. But if they were willing (and able) to do that they would not be asking you.