Text messaging allows short (around 100-character) messages to be sent and received discretely via cell phone. Messages are typically sent from one phone to another by addressing the message to the recipient’s phone number. For example, you could text your teen (see personal cell phone instructions) with a short note saying, “B home @ 10P,” which translates to “Be home at 10 p.m.”
Most phones and cell phone companies also allow messages to be sent from a phone directly to an e-mail address and vice versa, and cell phones with Web capabilities also allow users to e-mail and send links to cell phones. Text messaging is great if you are in a public place and can’t hear the other caller or if you just want to make plans with someone, but don’t need or want an in-depth conversation. However, for these same reasons, texting can also be a tool that teens prefer to use when sharing information about where to meet up when they don’t want to be overheard.
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!["My parents have not seen myspace… dont show em, its that simple. in these group we discuss the newest and easiet methods of ingestion . . . We talk about legal highs [<em>sic.</em> salvia divinorum among others] and which pills are good.” New Jersey Male, Age 14 <em>(As published by The Washington Post)</em>](http://fleishhill.vo.llnwd.net/o16/ONDCP/TAD/images/e-monitoring/cell-phones-sidebar.gif)
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