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 the cell phone contract, consider not signing up for mobile browsing (Internet access), text messaging or email capabilities.
  • Consider a phone which does not have a built-in camera.
  • 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 your child knows who it is and what s/he is being paired with.
  • Monitor your child's cell phone use.
  • Only give the phone to your child when s/he actually needs it (i.e. trip to the mall).
  • Limit the amount of time your child spends on her/his cell phone.
  • Learn how to block calls/messages from unwanted users on your child's cell phone.
  • Limit your child's downloading of ringtones, games, etc. to reputable sites. Make sure any games or ringtones your child downloads are legal and age-appropriate.
  • If your child’s phone has mobile browsing (allowing your child to access email on her cell phone), consider adding a program like Spam Arrest or TMDA to your child's email account. These types of programs only allow people you have specified to send an email to your child and forces unknown email addresses to confirm themselves before sending email to your child’s Inbox.

Important discussions to have…

  • Reinforce that your child should never respond to any unwanted messages.
  • Stress that if your child feels uncomfortable with a call or text message, it's okay to turn off the phone.
  • Explain to your child that it's illegal to threaten someone, and that s/he should tell a safe adult if threatened over the phone or through a text message.
  • Teach your child about the public nature of text messaging. What s/he texts to someone can be shared with anyone. To avoid potentially uncomfortable situations, stress the importance of being very careful about what s/he includes in a text message.
  • Stress that your child should never send pictures/videos of her/himself from her/his cell phone.
  • Make sure your child always keeps her/his personal information to her/himself.
  • Make sure that your child never includes her/his name or phone number on her/his voicemail message.
  • Tell your child that s/he must have your permission to share her/his cell phone number.
  • Teach your child that replying to a voice/text message will disclose her/his cell phone number to strangers via caller ID.
  • Discourage your child from answering calls from unfamiliar phone numbers.
  • Stress that your child never leaves her/his cell phone unattended.
  • Teach your child to be aware of her/his surroundings.
  • Suggest your child 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.

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