Cell phones are a necessary part of teenagers' lives. Whether it's a way to stay in touch with friends, listen to music, or play games, your teen's phone is an important part of his life. And as a parent, you want your son to be using his phone with good phone etiquette. So here are some tips on how you can help teach your teenager better cell phone manners:
1. The person in front of them takes precedence over the person on the phone. Teenagers are notorious for ignoring everything around them when their cell phones ring. Whether friends at school or family members at home, teens tend to answer their cell phones immediately whenever someone calls. There are indeed times when it's appropriate to put the phone aside, but it's best to set a rule that the person in front of them always takes precedence over the person on the other end of the line. If they are in line at a bank, waiting at a drive-through, or seated at a restaurant, they should put away their cell phone.
2. Eye contact is necessary when speaking to someone. This is one of those rules that seem like common sense -- no one likes speaking to someone who has his eyes glued to his cell phone screen while speaking to him -- but teenagers sometimes seem oblivious to this basic courtesy.
3. Remind them to keep their private affairs private. For example, if they have something personal to discuss with someone, they should do it privately, not in front of an audience.
4. Remind them to keep their phones silent when in public places.
5. Their phone is not the only entertainment available.
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