Cell Phones & Wi-Fi Gadgets

Parents are concerned with the safety of cell phones and internet capable wifi devices.

http://allanahk.edublogs.org/2011/05/19/ban-cellphones-and-wireless-networks-in-schools/

To set parental controls on your iPad or iPod Touch take a look at this blog post.

http://allanahk.edublogs.org/2011/08/18/children-taking-ios-devices-home/

Parents have questions:

  • When should we give our child a cell phone?
  • What kind of phone should they have?
  • Should they have texting and/or internet access?
  • How do I monitor text messages?
  • How do I teach my kids cell phone etiquette?
  • How do I know if my kids are talking or texting in the middle of the night?
  • Can I put time limits on my kid’s cell phone?
  • What sites are they going to on their phone?

Sexting

A concerning development is the activity called ‘sexting’. This involves children using their mobile phones to take and send sexually explicit images of themselves to their friends or to other people. This practice has increased in recent times due to improvements in the technology of mobile phones which now contain camera and video capability.

Of significant concern is the material they post or send can be very easily and widely circulated, of which the originator has no control. The images can be sent to other people from the child’s school, sporting club or employer and be potentially embarrassing to them and their families in the future. Once this material has been circulated and made available on the internet, it is impossible to remove.

Children should be made aware that they are committing serious criminal offences by taking, possessing or sending these types of images and may be liable to prosecution.

Really good advice from Netscape

Mobile phones are great for keeping in touch with friends and family. But there are some things you should keep in mind.

For example, if you download ‘free’ ring tones or other offers that are sent to you by SMS, you may find yourself with a very high phone bill. Cyberbullying, people making inappropriate contact, or coming across websites and other materials that you didn’t want to see can be problems as well.

Your privacy is also important. In the same way you protect your privacy online it’s important that you don’t share private/ personal details or photos using your mobile phone. It’s easy to forward SMS messages and photos but you never know where they might end up.

Tips

  • Only give out your mobile number to people you know and trust. Respect your friends’ privacy by not giving away their details without permission.
  • Don’t tell anyone your personal details such as your name, address or school.
  • Always check with your parents before sending private information to anyone using your mobile phone.
  • Think before you send. The person who you send information, pictures or videos to may not be the only one who will see them—so if you don’t want them to go public, don’t send them.
  • Don’t accept offers that sound too good to be true. They probably are, and you or your parents could end up with unexpectedly high phone bills. Check with your parents before accepting any offers.
  • If you have an iPhone you can find it again by using http://www.apple.com/iphone/find-my-iphone-setup/
  • If you use Bluetooth, ask your parents to help you change the settings so that the phone is not ‘discoverable’. This means that it can’t be found or discovered by other Bluetooth-enabled devices searching for another one. Keeping your phone undiscoverable is a good protection against hackers.

Tips for dealing with unwanted SMS and voice messages

  • Don't respond
  • Save the message and the date, time and number of the call
  • Let your parents know.