The cell phone has grown into a must-have accessory for teenagers. Calling and texting, can help them stay connected with you and help them keep up with school gossip and weekend plans...
A relatively recent Disney mobile survey found almost 100-percent of kids surveyed used their cell to get in touch with mom or dad, every day. This is one gadget many parents have opted for, for it's convenient safety factor. So know what you're buying before you sign a contract. Look for low or no cost plans for the family.

Paul Owens/nTelos
A popular thing is to have is mobile to mobile. Kids, parents, anyone with the same company phone number will allow them to contact each other at no extra cost.

Check out free minutes and set goals when they can use their minutes, saving up for unlimited times. And ask if customer service will give you alerts if "txt msg'ng" gets out of control.

Paul Owens
If you have a teen who is really fast with their hands you have to get unlimited text messaging. Which most company's offer for a fairly cheap price.

Your generation gap may be showing when you see the abbreviations and symbols your teen will use to text message!

Paul Owens
You can go on line and find out all the different short cuts and at Ntelos we have a guide.

You'll need any guide you can find as you decipher this new lingo. Many web sites offer acronym lists. So you can keep tabs on what's happening when you hear those personalized ring-tones sound off.

The "cool" factor is the main thing sales associates work on for families. Teens want the coolest, newest phones. So check before you buy. Your teenager may already have a style picked out, and that will save you time when you hit the stores.

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