While it may not be feasible for parents to go from allowing 12+ hour/day access to 1-hour/day, I do think it’s possible to still put limits in place. While I find myself wary of instituting rules after-the- fact (half the time, I’m thinking, “Do I really want to deal with the hassle this change is going to create?”), sometimes it’s absolutely necessary. That realization led to the change in cell phone rules in our house. And, there was HUGE push-back for about two weeks. However, now the rules are the new norm. The hassle was worth it.

1. No cell phone access/use during the week, except the one hour she talks to her boyfriend at night. They’re not allowed in her school anyway, so that’s a non issue. Anyone else she wants to talk to in the evening, she uses the home phone (so we can tell how long she’s on .

2. When she’s done with the hour, she brings her cell phone into our bedroom and doesn’t have access to it, so she won’t be tempted to make calls or text.

3. Weekends, she pretty much has it all day/evening, but we still get it before she goes to sleep (or else she wouldn’t sleep at all)

Now as I said, she’s pretty use to structure, so doesn’t complain about this. This may not work with more “spirited teens”, but the best shot you have is to make the rules right away,when they are still negotiating (being for) the phone -BEFORE the calling behavior gets established and while YOU still have leverage – “OK, you can get a phone, but here’s the rules” at that point they’ll agree to anything, just to get it.

Good luck!