Cell Phones and Texting

How can I make it safer?

Setting things up…

  • Some cell phones have been designed with kids in mind. Currently in Canada, there are two cell phones available with limited features and parental control functions: Wherifone GPS Locator Phone and Firefly. Wherifone’s features include enhanced Global Positioning System (GPS) location technology, five pre-programmed buttons for one touch dialing, and push button location services. Firefly’s features include up to 22 pre-programmable outgoing numbers and call blocking which means only pre-programmed calls are accepted by the cell phone.
  • When signing a cell phone contract for a child, consider not signing up for mobile browsing (Internet access), text messaging or email capabilities.
  • For children, consider for a cell phone which does not have a built-in camera.
  • For children, consider turning off the Bluetooth option or setting it to non-discoverable. For cell phones with a Bluetooth option, consider only allowing content from an identified source and even then, only allowing pairing if within eye contact range with the source so the child will know who it is and what s/he is being paired with.
  • Monitor children's cell phone use.
  • Only give the cell phone to children when they actually need it (i.e. trip to the mall).
  • Limit the amount of time children spend on their cell phones.
  • Learn how to block calls/messages from unwanted users on children's cell phones.
  • Limit children's downloading of ringtones, games, etc. to reputable sites. Make sure any games or ringtones children download are legal and age-appropriate.
  • If child's phone has mobile browsing (allowing the child to access email on her/his cell phone), consider adding a program like Spam Arrest or TMDA to the child's email account. These types of programs only allow people you have specified to send an email to the child and forces unknown email addresses to confirm themselves before sending email to the child’s Inbox.

Important discussions to have…

  • Reinforce that children should never respond to any unwanted messages.
  • Stress that if children feel uncomfortable with a call or text message, it's okay to turn off their cell phone.
  • Explain to children that it's illegal to threaten someone, and that they should tell a safe adult if threatened over the phone or through a text message.
  • Teach children about the public nature of text messaging. What they text to someone can be shared with anyone. To avoid potentially uncomfortable situations, stress the importance of being very careful about what they include in a text message.
  • Stress that children should never send pictures/videos of themselves from their cell phones.
  • Make sure children always keep their personal information to themselves.
  • Make sure that children never includes their name or phone number on their voicemail message.
  • Tell children that they must have a parent's or guardian's permission before sharing their cell phone number.
  • Teach children that replying to a voice/text message will disclose their cell phone number to strangers via caller identification.
  • Discourage children from answering calls from unfamiliar phone numbers.
  • Stress that children never leaves their cell phones unattended.
  • Teach children to be aware of their surroundings.
  • Suggest children review textED.ca, an innovative and interactive website designed to teach teens to be safe, responsible and respectful users of texting technologies.

For more information visit http://www.mobility.protectchildren.ca.