Worried about kids sending/receiving text messages

geek84

Hi folks

My teenage twins seem to be occupied with their phones during most of the day, and seem to receive and send a large amount of text messages, which they claim are from friends.

Is there any type of software on the market that I can use to monitor to see who they send the messages to and who they receive it from?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

ariba10

It's what youngsters do today.

elsien

What makes you think they aren't from friends? Can't you just have that conversation with them? Spying on them really isn't the way to go with teenagers. Aside from anything else, they'll find a way round it and all you'll have achieved is losing their trust.

grumbler

geek84 wrote: »

...My teenage twins seem to be occupied with their phones during most of the day,

Do you not see a problem here?
Put them on limited PAYG and make them pay for exceeding the allowance.

splishsplash

I don't think many teenagers text anymore so much as snapchat -I see them constantly tossing back the hair, dipping down their chins and (in a very fake way) adopting whatever expression is appropriate to the sentiment they're trying to convey.

I spend large parts of my day trying to photobomb their snaps or stick my hand in front of their face, or just laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.

Just being inquisitive - what age are your teenagers?

macman

If the phones are under your name and in contract, which they presumably are, then you should have access to the full billing details either online or via paper billing. That may or may not give itemised billing. But it seems akin to spying on their conversations. But knowing the numbers being sent to and from won't ID the 'friends' to you.

Swipe

They'll probably be using whatsapp, if they are, no way of finding out unless they leave their phone unlocked. I'm in my late 40s and spend all day on it. Easily done when you create groups of your friends. I wouldn't worry.

kerri_gt

What makes toy think they aren't talking to friends via text / app? I remember before mobiles as a teen waiting to that magic 6pm when calls became cheaper and phoning up friends to the background of my mum shouting 'what can you POSSIBLY have to talk about when you've seen each other all day at school?'

Now in my 30's I can easily have a few text / app messages from friends in the day and spend the evening messaging each other on FB just chatting while OH watches the telly. It's not really that unusual.