A 2018 Pew Research Report showed that 45% of teens said they use the Internet “almost constantly,” and another 44% said they go online several times a day. According to this report, 50% of teenage girls are “near-constant” online users, compared to 39% of teenage boys; 95% of teens have access to a smartphone.

The most recent data from Pew Research Reports showed:

• 46% of teens say they use the internet “almost constantly”
• 48% of teens say they go online several times a day
• 48% of teenage girls say they’re online “almost constantly”
• 43% of teenage boys say they’re online “almost constantly”

TO FIX:

Establish and enforce some ground rules –

Life comes first

Some simple rules e.g.
1.Don’t use phone until homework and chores are done
2.Don’t pick up the phone if it is interrupting you while you ae doing homework, chores, eating a meal or doing something else with the family.

The phone has a curfew too

Especially during school nights establish a time after which your teen can no longer make phone calls.. If necessary take it off him at curfew time.

When I call I expect you to answer

When teens don’t want their parents to know what they are doing they sometimes don’t answer the phone. They need to learn this is deceipt and not okay with you. Let her know if you find she has been deceiptful in this area, you will take it to mean she is not responsible enough to have a phone.

Limit the number of monthly cell phone minutes used

Simply establish with your teen how many minutes a month he can have. Let him know there will be a consequence if he goes over it, either he will have to pay for the extra or be docked for the next month.

Require phone etiquette.

Your teen needs to know the basic rules of phone politeness, such as identifying yourself when you call someone. E.g. @Hi this is Kulioe. Can I speak to Pam.