Mobile phones are great but can also create havoc for relationships. It is much easier to stay in touch with loved ones compared to the era when people can only communicate via only letters. And you might need to wait for days or even weeks for the letter to get to its’ destination and be replied.

But now, with a touch of a button or with Google voice, your call is placed and you talk with the person at the other end like they are right in front of you. In fact, you could actually see the other person via video call. Files can be sent with ease even from your phone to a colleague in another continent.

With any breakthrough in technology, discipline plays a vital role in enjoying her benefits.

Cell phones have become a basic human need and they have caused countless suspicions which might turn out to be true, fights, and several breakups.

Snooping or glancing over your partners’ shoulder and knowing each other’s passwords or not can be either healthy or unhealthy for a relationship. A healthy relationship is one having boundaries but also trusting each other.

Read: 21 Things To Talk About To Keep A Healthy Relationship

These are the cell phone rules every couple has to follow for a healthy relationship.

Do you want privacy or transparency with cell phones in your relationship?

Everyone wants to hold a bit of secrecy in their relationship. But, is that secrecy and privacy worth a lack of truthfulness? Being transparent with your partner is a vital part of a healthy and honest relationship.

With 100% honesty, cell phone rules wouldn’t be necessary, but with all the ways a person can cheat and keep secrets with their cell phones, setting some rules can lead you in the right direction.

You may not want your partner to see that your most recent yahoo search was for ‘where to get the best deal on a ***,’ but that is better than them thinking you’re cheating. If you have nothing to hide, passing or agreeing on cell phone rules shouldn’t cause any problem.

But, if you have something to hide, like the fact that you are texting other people romantically or still have sexy photos of an ex, you may want to check your behavior. Keeping secrets, no matter how insignificant you might think they are, can doom a couple from the start.

So, having a talk with your significant other about the right cell phone rules to follow can help you avoid future fights and possible questions down the road.

Why on earth do we even need phone rules?

It would be so wonderful if your significant others phone was ringing and you could just pick it up without glancing at the Caller Identity. It would be great if your partner showed you a photo on their phone, and you didn’t have the urge to swipe further or start asking questions like they are being interrogated. It would be fabulous if you didn’t wonder who they were texting.

It is human nature to be a little bit suspicious every now and then. But when a little snooping or spying becomes obsession or paranoia, cell phone rules should be applied immediately.

Read: 10 Subtle Signs He Doesn't Trusts Her

The same goes for anyone super protective of their privacy. If you are defensive when your partner asks you about who is calling or texting you, it is probably because you have something up your sleeves. If you grab your phone out of their hand immediately, you may need more than cell phone rules because this attitude is a sure sign you are hiding something from your partner that might hurt them deeply if they get to see it.

In some cases, trust issues can be deeply rooted. But, if you have ever discovered an ex was cheating by something on their phone, having cell phone rules can help you move on faster.

Read: Emotional Affair Signs You Are Going Through

Cell phone rules for every couple

Note that not all of these cell phone rules will work for you. And they are not rules to follow forever. Change is constant and as such, these rules might change as situations changes.

If you are truly trying to be open and honest and create a safe space in your relationship, these can help to build the foundation all healthy relationships have: TRUST.

If you or your partner has a problem with any of these rules, you may want to ask yourself why. What is it that you are so afraid of? If handing your phone to your partner without double checking photos or messages worries you, these cell phone rules may not help at all because there’s a deeper issue you have to deal with first.

Keep in mind these cell phone rules are only foundations for you. Once you follow these rules for a while and have earned each other’s trust, you should be able to stop enforcing them. Let trust guide the relationship.

Here are the top cell phone rules for couples.

1. Text to check in.

When you’re not together, check in with each other. It can be a simple, “Hi, I’m thinking about you,” or “Hey, how’s your day going”? Just sending a text keeps you guys connected when you’re apart.

Read: Sweet Words To Tell Your Man Over Text

2. Always tell your partner the truth.

Some people think the truth is hyped. You may wonder what the benefits of telling your partner that your ex texted you are. But telling them yourself now is much better than them finding out you kept it from them later. Your partner may feel betrayed by that simple action.

You may have done nothing wrong, but keeping a secret no matter how innocent can place a seed of doubt in their mind. So even if you think it isn’t a big deal, look at the situation from their perspective.

3. Talk about your past.

People who have never had trust issues may not see the need for cell phone rules. Your partner may not understand why you need access to their phone. But talking about your past can help open their eyes to your perspective on cell phone rules. Understanding is very important when it comes to placing cell phone rules. So if your partner wonder why you are coming up with these rules, just make them understand why.

Let your partner know it isn’t them you don’t trust. You have lingering issues from the past, and cell phone rules will help you move on. If they truly care about you, they will agree and understand your side.

4. Password sharing.

The same goes for sharing passcodes. This is something you should agree upon. It should not be forced on your partner. But, it can be a sign of complete trust. It shows that you are not at all worried that your partner will find something on your phone or other devices.

5. Arguments over text should be avoided.

This is definitely a big one and a deal breaker for many. Having a fight via text only makes things worse. The likelihood for miscommunications, misunderstanding, and even typo error is very high. These things can escalate a fight quickly. In heated arguments over text, there is no clarity in texting.

So, if you are on the verge of a fight, it is better to see each other in person or at the very least talk on the phone. Hearing each other’s voices and seeing each other’s faces takes away a lot of misinterpretations or misconceptions texting would have caused.

6. Don’t go to the rest room with your phone.

If you are with your partner and need to use the rest room, don’t go with your phone, it can seem unclear. Instead, learn to leave your phones out around each other.

If you both have nothing to hide, you should be completely comfortable with anything that might pop up in notifications or call that might come in. If you must enjoy peace of mind in your relationship, openness is a vital tool you don’t want to joke with.

7. Give each other space.

With reference to #6, openness and honesty does not mean suffocating and obsessing. Don’t meddle. You don’t have to know what the other is doing every minute of the day. You don’t have to read through each other’s texts and analyze everything. It is draining. In fact, you’ll be frustrated soon.

8. Shut down unwanted texts.

If someone DMs you with questionable motives, shut them down immediately. Don’t even flirt with the idea a second because just that one flirt can cost you that sweet relationship. Let them know you are in a committed relationship and end it there. Even just a few messages can be a gateway to cheating. If need be, take the matter to your partner. Let them know of the message and tell them your reply to the person and if the person text again, let your partner speak with them using your phone. They will think it is you that’s calling only to hear your partners’ voice.

9. Hand your cell phone over.

If the trust is there, this may not be necessary. But if one of you or both of you are struggling with trust, swap phones from time to time. Let your partner snoop right in front of you while you do same with theirs.

It can seem counterintuitive to prove your loyalty and vice versa, but it can help to give each other peace of mind, especially if secrets have been kept in the past.

10. Think before you delete.

Deleting photos of your ex when you are starting a new relationship with someone new is good. But if you are deleting your search history or messages from a “close friend,” or anything else, think about why this needs deleting.

Are you are deleting proof of something you feel guilty about. But why did you do something you would have to delete in the first place? So think twice before deleting those messages.

11. Can you answer each other’s phones?

This is something you and your partner have to discuss yourselves. Personally, I think full access removes any questions, but if you use your phone for business, this may not be an option.

Discuss how allowing each other this access would benefit your relationship and you can still set rules on calls that can be answered by your partner. For instance: calls from family and friends can be answered by your partner.

12. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want your partner doing.

If you wouldn’t want your partner liking their ex’s facebook photo or post, don’t do it yourself (to you ex). If you wouldn’t want them texting an ex, don’t do it with your ex. If something your partner did would upset you, don’t do it yourself. It is that simple. Don’t do to others what you don’t want them to do to you.

13. Warn each other before going of the grid.

Something that can worry you or your partner is radio silence, even for just a day. So, if you are heading to a remote area to fish and won’t have service, just let your partner know beforehand so they won’t worry. Life is simple if you want it simple.

14. Delete nude photos of anyone that isn’t your significant other.

Okay, if you have a sexy picture of Kim Kardashian or Jay-Z as your background, that should be fine. But if you still have racy photos of your ex or even a friend, delete them. Your relationship will be much better off without windows into the past or future temptations.

15. Put your phones down.

When you are together, put your phones away. Not all the time, but be sure to have some phone-free time when you are together. Really focus on each other and be in the moment. Life is the moment. However always having your phone away when you’re together can lead to suspicion. So try to create a balance.

There should be no suspicion, worry, spying or lying when you use these simple cell phone rules as couple. Remember you can always apply one or more rules as the case may be and don’t forget that change is constant and so are the rules.

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