Like the popular song goes, there is a time to laugh and a time to cry. A time to talk and a time to text. Well, not exactly, but part of parenting totally wired teens is teaching them when it's appropriate to use technology. According to a recent Disney Mobile survey, more than half -- 52 percent -- say they send text messages from a movie theater while 28 percent have sent messages from the dinner table. Twenty six percent said they texting is the first thing they do within 10 minutes of waking up. And 20 percent said they use their phone to connect with mom or dad at least five times a day.

Just as many adults have become compulsive "crackberry" users, teens and tweens have those same impulses around cell phones. They may be texting instead of checking their email, but the itch to always check or text is there, especially when they are bored...or there is a lull in the dinner conversation or the movie is slow. Personally, I think connecting with parents via phone five times a day won't help your teen become an independent young adult. Parents need to cut the cord -- metaphorically speaking (since we're talking about wireless!) and help teens learn when it's appropriate to text. And unless you're using your Blackberry at the dinner table and are not setting the example, the family meal would be just one good time to turn it off. Here are some others:

- Driving (or riding a bike or operating any type of vehicle)
- School
- Church, temple or any place of worship
- Movie theaters or during any theatrical performance (except at pop/rock/hip hop concerts)
- When the conversation is best had face-to-face (no breaking up via text!)
- When you're having a face-to-face conversation (don't stop and start texting when you're visiting relatives)
- After they go to bed (no texting at 3 a.m.!)

You get the idea. Seems pretty basic, but unless you spell it out (and not in shorthand), many teens will be tempted to text in these situations.