Cell Phones and Texting

How can I make it safer?

Reinforce to students that they should never respond to any unwanted messages.
Stress that if students feel uncomfortable with a call or text message, it's okay to turn off the phone.
Explain to students 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 students 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 to students that they should never send pictures/videos of themselves from their cell phone.
Teach students to always keep their personal information to themselves.
Teach students that they should never include their name or phone number on their voicemail message.
Teach students that they must have their parent's or guardian's permission before sharing their cell phone number with someone.
Teach students that replying to a voice/text message will disclose their cell phone number to strangers via caller identification.
Teach students not to answer calls from unfamiliar phone numbers.
Stress to students that they should never leave their cell phone unattended.
Teach students to be aware of their surroundings.
Suggest students review textED.ca, an innovative and interactive website designed to teach teens how to be safe, responsible and respectful users of texting technologies.