You can't read the content of the text messages, but you can tell how many were sent, what time, and what phone numbers receive them. My friend's son knows that his Dad checks the account every so often to enforce the house rules about when cell phones can be used (ie, not the middle of the night or during the school day). He will also ask who the new friend is if there are suddenly a lot of texts or calls with a number he doesn't recognize. I don't think Son particularly enjoys it but since his parents told him when he got the phone that they'd be checking the usage I don't think he finds it any more unfair than other family rules.