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Mom makes contract for son's iPhone use, list goes viral
Posted: 01.08.2013 at 2:25 PM
Anne Cook

Anne is the Internet Managing Editor for UpNorthLive.

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Janell Burley Hofmann was so impressed with her 13-year-old son's "maturity and growth" that she gave him his very first iPhone at Christmas.

But the owners manual was not the only reading he had to do before he powered it up.

Hofmann made an eighteen-point code of conduct for her son, which has put her front and center of the debate over how parents should handle their teen's technology.

The story went viral, meaning thousands of people commented and shared on the funny, loving and honest agreement between mother and son. So many people, in fact, that the internet crashed her website, where she posted the list.

The rules include "It is my phone. I bought it. I pay for it. I am loaning it to you. Aren't I the greatest?" and "If it rings, answer it. It is a phone. Say hello, use your manners. Do not ever ignore a phone call if the screen reads 'Mom' or 'Dad'. Not ever."

It wasn't all fun and games for Hofmann, though. The rule "Do not text, email or say anything through this device you would not say in person" made an appearance on the list as well.

Hofmann posted the entire letter and rules on her website.

What do you think of the contract? Would you do such a thing with your children?

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