Hi folks

My teenage twins seem to be occupied with their phones during most of the day, and seem to receive and send a large amount of text messages, which they claim are from friends.

Is there any type of software on the market that I can use to monitor to see who they send the messages to and who they receive it from?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Do you mean apart from them handing over their phones, telling you the passcodes, and promising they haven't deleted any?

I would certainly hope there isn't. That's just from general principles ... I certainly have nothing to hide on mine.

Though there's a rather large building alongside the A40 outside Cheltenham which might be able to assist you.

Worried about kids sending/receiving text messages

I am not sure it's appropriate for teens' phones to be monitored. If it were me, I'd have a little talk with them and say to them that if there's ever anything that bothers you, e.g. bullying texts, inappropriate advances or adult content, then by all means feel free to come to me and we can sort things out with the service provider and relevant enforcement agencies.

All the teens I know are very sensible in that respect.

It depends whether your teens are 13 or 19.

If they are only 13 and you think that something inappropriate is going on, then ask to look at their phones. If you're paying their phone bill each month, then you set the rules.

If they are 19 then I really wouldn't want to see whats going on with their phones, it'll probably be quite shocking.

I thought it was normal to send and receive loads of text messages at that age.

Unless you think there's something unpleasant going on you really need to butt out. My children (both teenagers) would completely lose their trust in me if I did this.

All you can do is say that you're there for them if there's an issue, not spy on them, that's appalling.

You're worried about *text messages*!

Oh my word, you've got a lot to learn about the opportunities to communicate on a mobile phone these days.

So true. The myriad ways people can communicate on their phones baffles me..what's app, group chats, ouvu, (sp?), kik, facetime blah blah blah.

You haven't a cat's chance in hell of monitoring that op, you just can't.

Who do you think they're from if not from friends?

Bit pointless replying to the OP, they rarely come back.
Only 100 posts yet 44 threads created.

Perhaps they are discussing how to get into Oxbridge.

On the topic of the OP, is there any actual way you can see what texts have been received or replied to from your kids' phones?

Without looking that is

Terrible how some people raise their kids. Teaching them that snooping on loved ones is acceptable behaviour. Do it to your kids and they will do it to a partner.

In my opinion, trust and communication is important. If you have raised them right, then you have nothing to fear.

I hate stupid OPs like that, attention seeking nonsense. Thanks for the heads up tealady.

Probably!

As an audit tool, Vodafone provide us with a record of text messages received and sent. We only ever look at it if there is unusual activity.

Most of the personal messages are cringeworthy and relate to groceries and whose fault it was...

Also posted here word for word with no reply from the OP

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/....php?t=5315276

Weirdo, I remember the Oxbridge one now which I was daft enough to post on. Will put this eejit on ignore.

Many thanks indeed for your responses folks.

I agree, not a good example to be setting to your kids

If you are that worried then they shouldn't have phones

I trust mine but have told them the dos and donts to the best of my ability

Believe me when I say, you will lose all trust your kids have in you. Number 1 worse thing a parent can do IMO and they will manage to find a way to keep stuff from you in the future and when they do have a problem they'll go to literally anyone but you. Now I'm not. A dad yet but from the perspective of a teacher - talk to them, don't snoop. It's an invasion of privacy, shows lack of trust and above all else it's just weird

Are you worried the texts may be from the opposite sex?

You say on another thread you son is 16 and enquire about him working full time.

Do you really feel it would be appropriate to read his private messages at that age?

Or are you trying to have more control over his movements?

At 16, he has rights of his own. Rights to privacy...

Why are you replying to a thread that's over a year old?

The other thread says he is 16 in July next yr

The OP would probably find lots of messages saying I wish my dad would give me a break and back off