From the
Denver Post: "Dad hammers Wyo. teen's phone after mega-bill."
A summary of the story is as follows: Gregg & Jaylene Christofferson gave their 13-year old daughter Dena a cell phone. The A/B student's grades dropped to Fs because she sent and received 20K texts, mostly during the school day. So dear dad took matters into his own hands and hammered the phone.
I wonder did it immediately shatter or did it bounce?
I digress.
Now how many parents have wanted to smash their kids cell phones for some reason or another. Some teens text at the dinner table. Others talk on the cell while trying to converse with someone in person. Once I was chaperoning a graduation practice where two students were talking to each other on their cell phones--they were three feet apart from each other. Their reasoning? "I didn't want to get up and go over there." Once I was in a meeting, a person forgot to turn their cell off or put it on vibrate. Of course the phone rings; but, instead of putting it to voice mail, she answered the phone to tell them she couldn't talk because she was in a meeting. I wonder if sending it to voice mail wouldn't have sent the same 'message.' (Sarcasm).
I applaud the father in this story. But I can't help wonder if he plans to teach his daughter cell phone etiquette since his daughter surely doesnt understand how to use a cell phone properly. And, what is her school's policies regarding cell phones. Did the teacher not notice the constant texting? I know that teachers aren't omniscient but there are certain tell-tale signs that I notice when my students are texting. Pay attention people!!
BTW-Dad consider calling Verizon and adding a text option. They will typically retroactive the option a month or two, which will help with that obnoxious $5K bill you have.
