As the father of a soon to be 13 year old girl this stuff scares the crap out of me. I can only hope and pray (especially pray) that I do a good job of parenting. That and keeping her away from the jeromys of the world.

Personally, if I had a 13 year old daughter (which I will in 9 more years), at this point in our technological society, there is NO WAY IN HELL she would get her own cell phone that is capable of conversing with anyone she cares to call. She'd have one of those Firefly phones where you can call Mom or Dad and THAT'S IT. When she's 16? MAYBE. And I could give a RATS ASS less if all her friends have 4000 minutes per month and unlimited texting because their parents are foolish enough to spend $120/mo on a cell plan for their kids.

Bill C, I believe what you are proposing is called "child abuse."

Anybody know the number of CPS?

PA, closely monitoring a minor girl's communications system is tantamount to child abuse? When you are responsible for her safety? May I suggest a reality check? Seriously.

Bill C-
I think it might be better to use a little psychology rather than completely forbid your daughter from using a cell phone when she's older.
Get her the lamest cell phone posible instead. Something with the heft & esthetics of a WW2 era field radio. Maybe plaster it with religious bumper stickers or pictures of, I dunno, a 70's era Bobby Sherman. That way she won't touch it unless it's a real emergency.

Kermit,

Sorry, I didn't expect to be responsible for knocking over your coffee table when you jerked that knee so hard! I realize that sarcasm doesn't come across too well in comments, so I should have included the "sarcasm" tag.

Sorry for any broken furniture.

PA, maybe you should consider using one of those smiley face thingys.

Forget it. Those things are for losers. ;-D

[Comic Book Shop Geek mode on]
Gentlemen, I can hardly contain my indignation... they are called Emoticons and should be called as such, thank you!
[Comic Book Shop Geek mode off]

Hehe! Good work! -ipod nano skin
ipod nano

I no this girl personally. She has lived in my neighborhood for a couple of years. Some of the kids consider her a "slut." Now she is not a bright child and she would do this. She just wanted to have fun with this man. But she did not get her way so she accused him of rape.

I no this girl personally. She has lived in my neighborhood for a couple of years. Some of the kids consider her a "slut." Now she is not a bright child and she would do this. She just wanted to have fun with this man. But she did not get her way so she accused him of rape.