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Teenagers' cell phone use is out of control

 
Published Nov. 27, 2006

I have been married to a wonderful man for two years. We both have daughters the same age, born the same year. They will be 17 next March.

My spouse works all day and I stay home and take care of the kids. (I have two girls under 10.) My problem is the 16-year-olds do things behind my back.

One big issue is that although my ex has custody of my daughter, she stays with me because she cannot be trusted alone at his house. My husband and I bought the older girls cell phones to keep tabs on them. But the cell phones have caused so much arguing that it's unreal.

Both girls have been told they cannot talk after midnight, but every time I get the bill, there are calls after midnight. They say I am wrong not to let them talk after 12 because they are adults, I am mean, and I just want to prevent them from having a life. Now my daughter says that as soon as she's 17, she is moving out. What should I do?

- Stressed Mother in Michigan

Confiscate the cell phones at bedtime. Your daughter may be 16, but she's acting like a 10-year-old. The person who pays for the cell phone makes the rules. It's up to you to enforce them

It's sexual harassment

I'm a 13-year-old girl in the eighth grade. I get treated like a slut every day. Boys keep coming up to me asking me to have sex with them. I say no, but they won't stop! About five months ago I almost committed suicide. Abby, could you please help me? Please!

- Not a Slut in S.C.

There's a name for what these boys are doing: sexual harassment. It is very important that you tell a teacher what has been going on, because by law, the school administration can - and must - put a stop to it.

These boys need to be punished. And you, my dear, may need professional counseling to get over the trauma and depression their foolishness has caused.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips.

Universal Press Syndicate