You remember that Salt-n-Pepa song back in the, ahem 80s?
Let’s talk about Sex, baby
Let’s talk about you and me
Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that will be
Let’s talk about sex. Let’s talk about sex.
Well, just change sex to text and you’ve made that song current.
I’m taking a risk here with this post. I could very well come off sounding like a dried up old biddy who needs to jump into the millenium and shut the hell up. But I don’t give a shit. I’m about to put on my ranty hat and rant away.
WHY DO ALL THESE DAMN 12 YEAR OLDS (AND YOUNGER) HAVE CELL PHONES?
And parents, HAVE YOU READ THEIR TEXT MESSAGES?
Listen, I remember Jr. High. It was full of firsts for many people. First kiss, first boyfriend, first heart break, first fight with best friend over a boy…It’s a big time.
But now, apparently, 7th and 8th graders are adding FIRST SEX TEXT to the list.
Yes. It’s phone sex, only written down so that all the snooping moms can read it. (and trust me when I say, you moms with kids with cell phones had better start snooping.)
A girlfriend told me this morning that her 8th grade son received a text message from an ex-girlfriend asking him if he wanted to fuck her. Yes, I said Fuck. Not make out. Not flirt. Not make googoo eyes across the crowded bus. But Fuck.
8th grade.
Fuck.
Are you tired of the word yet? Are you tired of seeing it? Now, just imagine seeing it on your 13 year old’s phone.
I’m not naive and I’m not stupid. I had friends who were having sex in 9th grade when I was in school eons ago. But c’mon. This is getting to be ridiculous. They are still babies.
And all you moms of girls, what would you do if a BOY had sent that message to your daughter?
So, you guys may think that phone is helping you keep track of your baby, but in reality, it’s giving them another means to grow up too damn fast.
And I won’t even get started on why these kids “need” their phone in school. The schools have a dress code that doesn’t allow “torn jeans” and makes them wear a belt, but cell phones are okay as long as they are on vibrate or silent? What the hell is wrong with this picture?
I’m sorry. I know this is a big fat fuckin’ rant. The whole thing just pisses me off.
Bitchin' Fiction: Musings by author Melissa McKenzie / Melissa Francis 
I know the “reasons” for kids having cell phones, at least the ones parents try to use. But it still comes down to that they’re far more a “social network” among kids than they are a safety precaution.And yet, think of the many generations of us that managed to grow up just fine without being able to call or text someone every two and a half minutes.Has passing notes in study hall been replaced by text messaging? Seems so.
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I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one that feels this way. No, I don’t have kids, which is why I usually remain silent on such matters, but I’m glad to know that parents with kids feel the same way.
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Hi I’ve popped by a couple times and read some of your posts. I’m friends with Kristen Painter and I saw your “tarzan” comments on her blog and thought I’d see what was new over here. Well you touched a nerve! I totally agree with you! I’m an 80’s girl and I remember having to wait in line at the pay phone to call my mom to come get me after school or the movies. I have an 8 yr old boy, and he hasn’t asked me about cell phones yet, and he ain’t gettin one anyway, but I see kids his age texting!! Come on! It’s a crazy world…just glad I don’t have a daughter (I’d probably not teach her to read and type! hehehe)Thanks for this post, there are many who agree!!
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Hey Beck! Thanks for stopping by. You’re welcome to play on my side of the jungle any time.Here’s the thing. I really do get why people think their kids should have cell phones. And sure, it’s easier to keep up with them. But, like you, I was told a time and place to be picked up and I was there or I was dead.I could go on a whole ‘nother rant about lack of discipline on today’s kids, but then I know people would think I was 77 years old instead of 37. SighI may have to find a happier subject to talk about soon. I feel the BP rising…
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This is . . . disturbing. Next time my 11 yr. old asks for her own cell phone, I’ll make sure it’s clear she won’t get one until she’s 18. LOL.
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I’m 27, don’t have kids, and this drives me nuts too. I used a pay phone to call home when I needed a ride. My baby sister (15) has had a cell phone for a year. For “emergency purposes” and for calling when “it’s not clear which door she’s supposed to be picked up at.” She texts messages like she was born with a phone in her hand. She’s a good kid, she still says boys ick her out, and she’s let me see all her myspace accounts and various blogs that I’m not sure my parents even know about, so I’m not worried about the sex aspect, but it’s still scary to think of what she could stumble into.When she was born, I called her my own personal birth control. Now I watch my parents with her and hope I make the right choices with my own kids someday.
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I don’t even like having a cell phone, so you know I’m not for kids having them.It’s just silly. And further proof of how easily swayed the American consumer is.I don’t have kids but if I did, they wouldn’t have phones or tv’s or computers in their rooms. They’d have to play outside when the sun was shining and read books on rainy days.
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