Staying in touch with friends is super important to kids and teens and as annoying as it can be to see your kids jabbing away at their phones, it is a normal part of their lives.  Messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Kik Messenger and SnapChat are super popular because they offer richer multimedia experiences than regular SMS texting.  But these extra features, plus the privacy and safety issues, make messaging apps better suited for social-media-savvy teens. Learn more about how to help kids use these apps safely and responsibly.  Don’t forget, it is important for parents to model the manners and behaviors they want to see from their kids and if cell phone use is getting in the way of family time, homework and other responsibilities, here are some helpful hints to help kids and parents manage phone time.