Studies show that when someone is texting while they are driving it triples the chances of them being involved in an auto accident. Driving and texting has become a big menace, especially among teen drivers who may not be aware of the dangers of texting while driving. There are few ways you can stop your teen from texting when driving. This article would guide you to follow certain steps to stop your teen texting.
texting-becomes-menace-when-done-while-driving
The first step to stopping your teen from driving and texting is to put monitoring software on their cell phone. This software will let you see all information regarding calls and text messages sent and received on your teen’s cell phone, and what time text messages were sent and received. When you know what time your teen is driving to school every morning you can check to see if they are texting while they are driving. From there you can take your teen’s cell phone if they don’t stop texting while driving. You can find cell phone monitoring software by performing an internet search for “cell phone spy”.
The second step is to avoid your teen to opt the unlimited text message plan for their phone. If they are not ready to listen to you, then you remove such plans or else warn them that they would loose their cell phones. Most of the teens opt for unlimited plans for messaging so that they can text as much as they want to. Removing this feature you’re your teen’s phone will severely restrict the number of free text messages they can send and receive. Tell your teen that they will have to pay for any text message overages on their cell phone. This will limit the amount of text message they can send, so they will have to use their text messages very sparingly…which will help reduce the chances of them texting while driving.
The third step to stopping your teen from driving and texting is to inform all your adult friends and family members to observe your teen driving and texting when they see them around town. Tell your teen that you have told your friends and family to do this, and that if one of them sees your teen driving and texting you are going to take their cell phone for a month. Many teens see their cell phone as something they couldn’t live without, and this type of punishment will be a big restriction from driving and texting.
Article that you may also like : How to drive dangerously
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Threza,
This is an EXCELLENT article! It offers many parents straight-forward parenting advice for how to manage the phone access their children have.
The problem also lies outside of the teen-age and among adults as well who do decide regularly, even if it’s just for a sec, to continue to text and email while driving.
As we continue to advance in technology and and fuel the need for perpetual communication, another alternative should be considered.
I agree! This is an excellent article for parents who are looking for ways to stop their teen from dangerous driving habits. One problem a lot of parents have is sticking to the punishments they verbally threatened. A way to prevent this is to put all decisions, and agreement in writing and have both the parent and teen sign in. Most adults have a hard time going back on something they signed their name to. You can find outlines of parent-teen driving “contracts” at http://allstateteendriver.com or you could just make your own. There is also a very intense graphic PSA out there now about texting and driving. I’m not sure what it’s called… but if you search for PSA texting and driving graphic, it is the first thing to com up. It’s sweeping the nation and a lot of parents are using it to help deter their teen from texting and driving.