Posted by mushrooms on Dec 18, 2010 in Main
Kids' Cell Phones - Safety Tips
Giving your kid a cell phone may seem like a way to help protect them from the uncertainties in life, and it will. However, it also creates a communication channel that you must monitor.
If you are paying for the service, never forget it is YOUR phone, not theirs. Never forget that they don’t understand that contact through a phone can be as dangerous or even more so than face-to-face. Never forget that most of the communication is frivolous. Never forget that there are people who seek to exploit kids. Never forget that kids pass each other’s phone numbers to other people.
Ways to protect your child:
- Watch the phone bill to see how many messages and calls are being handled. Think about the amount of time involved. Does the usage distract them from schoolwork? Does it disrupt mealtime? Does it prevent them from getting enough sleep? If any of these are true, contact the carrier and limit the times the phone can be used.
- If you don’t use texting to communicate, don’t be afraid to shut it off entirely. You’ll save money. However, since so many kids use it, both for fun and for school/work related messages, it may not be a good idea. You’ll have to decide.
- One family I know has all the cell phones in a basket in the kitchen. The kids have to use their cell phone downstairs, it can’t go upstairs.
- When your child isn’t looking, take their phone and review all the calls made and received, as well as messages, and any sites visited (you really shouldn’t be paying for Internet service on a phone, but that’s a different issue). If there is a password on the phone, you need the password. If the kid gives you a hard time, take the phone away. You should recognize most of the names and numbers on the list, question any that you don’t know. The messages shouldn’t surprise you. If the phone has no calls and no messages, either the kid doesn’t use the phone, or they are clearing it. You can compare the bill against the phone to decide what’s happening. The reason I recommend doing this without the kid’s knowledge is that no one likes to be spied on. This isn’t a trust issue, it is similar to looking out the window when the kids are playing the yard. You’re checking to make sure they’re safe. If they find out and are upset, explain, and remind them, it is YOUR phone. Check the images, too.
- Your child probably doesn’t need a phone for most school days. Unless you will be picking them up at a variable time, make them leave the phone home.
- Teach kids how to use a pay phone. Also, remind them that they can use a school phone for an urgent call, or borrow someone else’s cell phone.
This entry was posted by elvis and filed under Main.