I have no problem with my 9th grader texting (his numbers are in line Creeds'.) It's the easiest, least intrusive way for me to keep in touch with him.

However, I do think parents miss out on a good opportunity to talk to their kids friends. Since they rarely call the home phone, parents don't get to hear what kind of voice is on the other end of the line -- polite? rude? boy? girl? That's a problem.

the kid's name is Creed????

You all ain't got nothing on my son! My 15 year old had 10,000 texts in July, and he didn't take the phone to camp. Then in August he had 16,000 texts and still didn'y have the phone during the day while he was in summer camp nor when he started school. We are now cutting WAY back the amount of time each day that he can use his cell phone. Thank goodness for unlimited texting!

What person in their right mind names their kid "Creed?" Are you serious?

And RonieD, your kid is probably texting all kinds of pervs and sex offenders. Do you also let him spend 40 hours a week online? Wake up and smell the coffee.

This reminds me of an episode of "Good Times," when a thug named "Mad Dog" was hitting on Thelma.

"Thelma? What kind of a name is Thelma?"

And Thelma answered: "When I was born my momma took one look at me and called me Thelma. Just like your momma took one look at you and called you MAD DOG."

Creed's a perfectly fine name. Don't let the Mad Dogs get you down.

I would imagine that the main reasons for texting rather than talking on the phone is (1) one or both of the teens is in a place where he/she isn't supposed to be on the phone, i.e. in school (class, detention, etc.); (2) your teen is at home or in the back seat of your car and he/she doesn't want you to know what he/she is talking about; (3) kids who spend a lot of time on the internet are used to online chatting and its second nature for them to read and write their conversations rather than speak.

I can understand using text in certain situations. For example, if I want to get a message to someone who may be busy at work, school or otherwise and I really don't need an answer right away, then I might use text. Or, there are times that I'll take a picture of my children (or something else) with my phone and sent it to my wife or other family member.

However, if both parties to a text are carrying a real-time conversation back and forth, then I do not see the purpose of using texting rather than having a verbal conversation. Its like choosing to go back to the days of the telegraph before people had telephones. I do not get it. IMO, the only thing that explains the use is the reasons I listed above, and above all... secrecy.

I've never regretted naming my son Creed, even though a not-so-great band with the same name became insta-popular shortly after he was born. No, he was not named after the band, but I did buy one of their T-shirts. I wonder if it'd be a good idea to insist on texting "diets'' on the weekends or during certain homework hours. But I'm not that rigid as a parent, unless I have good reason.

Also, Gretchen raises a great point. Creed recently noted that I don't know his friends, except the few who live in our neighborhood. And that's the reason I don't know them. I don't know who he's talking to, and when. A lot of trust has to be extended to him, because cell phones allow for such secrecy. Until he breaks it I guess I'll keep coasting forward, on blind faith, aided by occasional snooping.

I have a 13 year old daughter who texts often but that is the way these kids communicate. She has one friend that calls her and unfortunately, it's usually when we are sitting down to dinner or when she's in the middle of her homework so she can't speak to her. With texts, when she is done with whatever she is doing, she can pick up the conversations right where they left off.

It's an unobtrusive way for the kids to keep in touch and build friendships. I don't agree with Joe and his emphasis on secrecy. There is a fine line between privacy and learning how to navigate in the teenage world, and "hiding" their activities from their parents. If parents limit their kids texting usage to ensure that the important things - homework, family time, sports - are taken care of, you have to trust that the kids will not cross that line.

You can't be with them everywhere, Joe. Eventually they will make their own decisions and we as parents have to hope that we taught them the right things that will help them to do so. And this includes appropriate texting skills.

I text with my teenage son, if he's running late from school, I call him.. no answer. Then I get a text from him letting me know that he is held up in an afterschool club. I know he can't answer the phone in the middle of trying to make the team. But I am getting worried now because he is getting ready to drive this month. I set a good example and never text while driving, nor do I answer my phone without a bluetooth. But I think about him even having one second of distraction from a phone call on the road and what could happen. Then I realize just what weston mom said.. I can't be there with him everywhere, and have to hope what I've taught him sinks in.

The part about texting that bothers me is not the occasional use of it or when a kid is using it when he/she is away from his/he parents (as long as it is not being done in school when the kid should be paying attention to the teacher).

What annoys me is when kids sit with their phone and text non-stop with their friends for long periods of time. I'm sorry, but its just plain rude.

My kids are toddlers, but when we visit my wife's sister my niece and nephew (who are good kids) will sit with their cell phones and text constantly while we are there for family get-togethers. I don't think it would be considered acceptable if they talked on the phone or chatted online on the computer the entire time we were there, but for some reason people seem to think that since kids now have a mobile device available to them that allow them to do the same thing as a phone or internet-- that it is ok for kids to text as much as they do. I'm sorry, but kids do not have to be in constant communication with their friends at all times of the day. That is ridiculous.

Coming from a teenager, I mainly text for the following reasons:
1)Privacy plays a huge part in it. I could care less if my parents knew what I was talking about, and to whom; however if i were talking on the phone in front of them, it would be a bit awkward.
2)We do text when we can't verbally speak.
3)It allows for multiple conversations at once. Hundreds...

Recently I went over my limit though. Bout 360 over, and I'll end up paying a 72 dollar extra little fee. I really need unlimited, and am willing to pay for it(I have a job) anybody think of a way I can suade my parents?

Your parents won't let you get unlimited texting even if you pay for it? I'd suggest offering them some kind of deal, like "I'll get an A in geometry if you allow me to get unlimited texting.''