Etiquette for the Digital Age

Parents setting rules and guidelines for their children in the digital age face many tough choices. They have to navigate texting, Facebook, Twitter and much more. FOX 7’s Keri Bellacosa reports with some advice on what is appropriate when communicating digitally.

Like most American teens, Hyde Park junior Kelly Cox carries a cell phone.

A lot of times, I don't even listen to a voicemail,” Cox says. “If I don't have time. You have five minutes in between class, and it's just easier to read a text, and reply yes or no, than it's actually to have a full-fledged conversation.”

She relies on those "text messages" for after-school activities, keeping in touch with mom, and, yes, even home work.

Cell phones are just about everywhere, even in some places where they do not seem appropriate such as the dinner table. They can also be seen in some of the quietest places in town like movie theaters.

At Hyde Park Baptist High School they can even be seen them in the hallways.

Principal Joe Kopec acknowledges that using a cell phone, email, or even social media is how kids and parents communicate these days. That is why he is incorporating high-tech gadgets in the school day.

There are a few exceptions of course.

“Anything that's going to interrupt instruction, is a wrong use and a wrong time,” said Kopec. “That doesn't mean kids can't take them to class, most kids have them at all times, even class, but turned off.”

Kelly's mom, Julie Cox, also uses interruption as a guideline.

“Not when we're having family time, because it divides their attention,” Julie said.

At first, the mom of three teens admits she and her husband were not sure about all these gadgets.

“Our first attitude was there's a phone in the office,” Julie said. “We used to use pay phones, they do not need a cell phone."

So she checked it out herself. She tried texting, Facebook, and other digital age tools before she allowed here kids to use them.

As we found out during our interview, mom follows the same rules she enforces.

“We don't want them to send a text message after 9pm” Julie said. “They need to turn their ringers off when they go to sleep. If we're at home, she should leave the cell phone in her room, and not bring it to the table.”

FOX 7 also consulted the Protocol School of Texas that offered the following advice on digital communication.

Don't text mid-conversation with another person
Don't do it during a wedding, funeral, church service or movie
Never substitute a text or a message via social media for a thank you note, or business letter.