I love this for the following reason: With a device like this, perhaps my niece wouldn't have gotten into an accident when she was 16, driving to her summer job, a little late so I'm sure there was some speed involved, as well as her cell phone, as well as (ahem) a breakfast burrito. But it's just a perhaps, because obviously there were a lot of distractions going on at the time in addition to the cell phone.
I hate it for this reason: It does signify a total lack of trust in the teen. I don't actually believe that teenagers have "rights" to cell phones or cars -- they have cell phones and cars because either they worked hard to get them, or their parents are generous, or it's a matter of convenience for the family. But I do believe teenagers earn trust with good behavior, and this sort of device leaves no room for that.
Just because the phone is turned off doesn't mean that the teen in the car won't be changing the music, speeding, eating a breakfast burrito or looking at his or her hair in the mirror. It's a way for the parent to believe they have control of their teen even when they don't. It's like an invisible parental hand reaching in the door, putting the child's seat belt on, turning off the phone and turning down the music in order to keep the child safe.
If I had a child who repeatedly broke my instructions as to cell phone use in the car, I think I'd rather take the phone or the car away rather than use a device like this. But maybe I'm living in a dream world.
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Ah, wow. I love this and I hate it.
I love this for the following reason: With a device like this, perhaps my niece wouldn't have gotten into an accident when she was 16, driving to her summer job, a little late so I'm sure there was some speed involved, as well as her cell phone, as well as (ahem) a breakfast burrito. But it's just a perhaps, because obviously there were a lot of distractions going on at the time in addition to the cell phone.
I hate it for this reason: It does signify a total lack of trust in the teen. I don't actually believe that teenagers have "rights" to cell phones or cars -- they have cell phones and cars because either they worked hard to get them, or their parents are generous, or it's a matter of convenience for the family. But I do believe teenagers earn trust with good behavior, and this sort of device leaves no room for that.
Just because the phone is turned off doesn't mean that the teen in the car won't be changing the music, speeding, eating a breakfast burrito or looking at his or her hair in the mirror. It's a way for the parent to believe they have control of their teen even when they don't. It's like an invisible parental hand reaching in the door, putting the child's seat belt on, turning off the phone and turning down the music in order to keep the child safe.
If I had a child who repeatedly broke my instructions as to cell phone use in the car, I think I'd rather take the phone or the car away rather than use a device like this. But maybe I'm living in a dream world.
December 16, 2008 - 9:18amThis Comment
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