Voices
text messages with you in the
days to come.
1. It is my phone. I bought it.
I pay for it. I am loaning it to you.
Aren’t I the greatest?
2. I will always know the
password.
3. If it rings, answer it. It is a
phone. Say hello, use your manners. Do not ever ignore a phone
call if the screen reads “Mom” or
“Dad.” Not ever.
4. Hand the phone to one of
your parents promptly at 7:30
p.m. every school night and every weekend night at 9:00 p.m.
It will be shut off for the night
and turned on again at 7:30 a.m.
If you would not make a call to
someone’s land line, wherein their
parents may answer first, then do
not call or text. Listen to those instincts and respect other families
like we would like to be respected.
5. It does not go to school with
you. Have a conversation with the
people you text in person. It’s a
life skill. *Half days, field trips
and after school activities will require special consideration.
6. If it falls into the toilet,
smashes on the ground, or vanishes into thin air, you are responsible for the replacement
costs or repairs. Mow a lawn,
JANELL BURLEY
HOFMANN
babysit, stash some birthday money. It will happen, you
should be prepared.
7. Do not use this technology to
lie, fool, or deceive another human being. Do not involve yourself
in conversations that are hurtful
to others. Be a good friend first or
stay the hell out of the crossfire.
8. Do not text, email or say
anything through this device you
would not say in person.
It does not go to
school with you. Have
a conversation with
the people you text in
person. It’s a life skill.”
9. Do not text, email or say anything to someone that you would
not say out loud with their parents
in the room. Censor yourself.
10. No porn. Search the web
for information you would openly
share with me. If you have a question about anything, ask a person
— preferably me or your father.
11. Turn it off, silence it, put it
away in public — especially in a
restaurant, at the movies or while
speaking with another human being. You are not a rude person; do
HUFFINGTON
01.13.13