Monitoring the costs of service doesn’t take care of monitoring your kids’ mobile phone behavior, such as which services or information they access on their mobile phones. Even though the task requires a bit of finessing, it must be done — just as monitoring their Internet access must be done Here are the differences in mobile phones and mobile Internet services versus Internet services:

- Mobile screens are smaller.

- Mobile keyboards are smaller.

- Mobile devices can be used in any room of the house or in any park or public space to connect to whoever and whatever users want.

Keeping tabs on your kids definitely isn’t as easy as looking over their shoulders while they’re sitting in front of the family computer in the dining room, is it?

After providing kids with mobile phones and Mobile Internet service access, parents need to do their best to stay aware and maintain control of their kids’ mobile Internet lifestyles. You need to keep a close eye on these individuals:

- The people your children call and the people they get calls from: This strategy is one of the simplest ways to keep tuned in to your kids’ mobile phone use. Listen in on a few conversations and ask questions about who usually calls them. You can also always look at their mobile phone call logs and their phone bills (usually available on the carrier’s Web site). If you don’t recognize the names or numbers listed, place a call to find out. Just be conscious of your children’s own respect for privacy when doing so — you don’t want them to be upset that you’re checking in on their call activities.

- The people in your children’s mobile phone Contacts lists or buddy lists: Another simple way to check in on your kids is to look at their Contacts list on their mobile phone. Some may have nicknames, so make a list and then spend time with your children to discuss who those contacts are and whether they’re friends or people they usually communicate with. Don’t be offended by the nicknames your kids may have for their peers and other people — remember kids will always be kids. If you’re offended by some of the names listed, talk with your children about changing them to something better or putting real names in their contact lists.

- The people your kids receive text messages from and the ones they reply to: You can always check your children’s message logs to view sent or received messages. Out of respect for your children, you should also let them know that you will do so periodically so that they’re aware of your interest in their text messaging use. If you’re concerned about the frequency of text messaging or the types of reactions your children make when text messaging, let them know.

- The people (and services) your kids are connecting with in mobile Internet cyberspace: Again, all mobile phone transactions are kept in various logs and reports on your kids’ mobile phones. Just like your computer, most mobile phones have history, cookie, and bookmark capabilities for you to view what your kids are doing on their mobile browsers. Some mobile phones have more detailed reports than others. Check the mobile phone user manual for details on what’s available on your children’s mobile phones. Don’t forget that some kids may clear their messages and browsing histories so that they don’t leave any unwanted cybertrails of their activities, just like they probably do on their computers. Our best advice for mobile Internet use, as with Internet use on a computer, is to keep an open dialogue with your kids to let them know they should be as careful surfing the mobile Internet as the computer Internet. You may also be interested in restricting your children’s access to mature content on the mobile Internet.

Another way to find more detailed information on the time, date, and duration of mobile phone activities is on your children’s mobile phone billing statements. Here are some tips:

- If you’re uncertain about the numbers on the billing statement: Write them down, ask your children to help identify who they belong to, and, if you feel that you must know right away, call or text the number yourself to identify the person at the other end of the line.

- If this monitoring approach upsets your children: Be aware that they may not necessarily be hiding anything, but may more likely be embarrassed by the possibility of their friends finding out that you’re checking up on them. Be sure to explain to your children why you’re checking, if you do, and be careful about the calls you make just to say hello, in a friendly manner, on behalf of your children. Or, send a simple text message just to confirm that you know who your children are communicating with.

- If you don’t like the response or the people your children are communicating with: Talk to your children first to try to find out what the problem is, and report any suspicious activities to the authorities (and your wireless carrier) if you feel that something isn’t quite right about the types of people or communications going on. Wireless carriers also make details available about mobile phone activities, and you can request a report detailing your children’s mobile-phone voice, text messaging, and Web browsing use. You may spend some time obtaining the report, and you may be required to request the information by e-mail or letter with complete copies of your and your children’s identification. This strategy protects not only you but also your children from the release of any other nonauthorized information about either of you.

An excellent way to change your kids’ behavior is to set a good example for them. Monitor your own use of the mobile phone, and share the results with your kids. This way, you treat them as equals. You can also offer a deal with your kids: If they will adhere to the guidelines that you have agreed on, you will too.