Cell Phones and Texting

How can I make it safer?

Setting things up…

  • Some cell phones have been designed with children and adolescents 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 an adolescent's cell phone contract, consider not signing up for mobile browsing (Internet access), text messaging or email capabilities.
  • For an adolescent, consider a cell phone which does not have a built-in camera.
  • For an adolescent, 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 knows who it is and what s/he is being paired with.
  • Monitor adolescents' cell phone use.
  • Only give the phone to adolescents when they actually need it (i.e. trip to the mall).
  • Limit the amount of time adolescents spend on their cell phone.
  • Learn how to block calls/messages from unwanted users on adolescents' cell phone.
  • Limit adolescents' downloading of ringtones, games, etc. to reputable sites. Make sure any games or ringtones the adolescent downloads are legal and age-appropriate.
  • If the adolescent’s phone has mobile browsing (allowing the adolescentto access email on her/his cell phone), consider adding a program like Spam Arrest or Tagged Message Delivery Agent (TMDA) to the adolescent's email account. These programs only allow people on the adolescent’s "allow list" to send an email to her/him and force unknown email addresses to confirm themselves before sending email to her/his Inbox.
  • If the adolescent’s phone has mobile browsing (allowing your child to access email on her cell phone), ensure the adolescent always uses a nickname in chat rooms, IM, etc. that doesn't reflect his/her age, location, or interests.

Important discussions to have…

  • Teach adolescents 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.
  • Tell adolescents that they must have parental permission before sharing their cell phone number.
  • Ensure adolescents get parental permission if meeting with someone they first met via text messaging or phone for the first time, and to bring a parent or trusted friend along.
  • Explain to adolescents 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.
  • Remind adolescents that replying to a voice/text message will disclose their cell phone number to strangers via caller identification (ID).
  • Discourage adolescents from answering calls from unfamiliar phone numbers.
  • Remind adolescents to always remain aware of their surroundings.
  • Stress to adolescents that they should never send pictures/videos of themselves from their cell phone.
  • Reinforce the idea that adolescents should never respond to any unwanted messages.
  • Teach adolescents to trust their instincts — that if they feel a situation is potentially unsafe, it probably is.
  • Teach adolescents that it is illegal for people to manufacture, possess or distribute naked or sexually explicit pictures of children under 18 years of age.
  • Suggest adolescents review textED.ca, an innovative and interactive website designed to teach teens how to be safe, responsible and respectful users of texting technologies.

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