Mobile Safety FAMILY GUIDE TO - How to keep your children safe and connected in today's mobile world
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FAMILY GUIDE TO
Mobile
Safety
How to keep your children
safe and connected in
today’s mobile world
PREPARED BY: SPONSORED BY:
• Does your child know how to budget an allow Mobile Phone Features
ance? If so, your child might be ready to handle Kids use smartphones for more than making
limits on text messages, minutes, and apps. calls and searching for online content. If you
• Does your child display good manners in pub decide your child is ready for a smartphone,
lic? If so, your child might be ready to use a cell consider the many features that are available
phone with courtesy and consideration toward and determine which are right for your family.
others. • Texting: It’s how kids communicate, but
It’s OK to say “not yet.” If your child wants a cell even adults struggle with the distraction of text
phone but isn’t ready, consider setting some goals ing. Can your child resist constantly checking
for him to achieve as a way of earning a phone. for texts?
• Photos and videos: Kids love taking photos
and videos of themselves and their friends. They
can instantly post photos on Facebook or text
22% them to all their friends. Is your child mature
enough to know which photos and videos are
appropriate to share?
of kids say they’ve been • Social networking: Facebook, Tumblr,
bullied via text message.* Instagram, Twitter. The social networking sites
your child enjoys at home will now be accessible
via smartphone anytime, any day.
Basic cell phone or smartphone? • GPS technology: Many families love know
Many kids start with an inexpensive cell phone ing where their children are thanks to GPS
Is Your Child Ready
and work their way toward a smartphone as they technology. But kids need instructions on how
prove to their parents that they can handle the to avoid revealing their location to strangers.
• Games: If your child loves video games, the
for a Mobile Phone?
added responsibility. If you want your child to have
a mobile phone only for safety reasons, a no-frills smartphone could become more of a gaming
cell phone is probably fine. system than a phone.
A child who has a hard time with limits on TV • Movies, TV shows, music, and other
MOBILE PHONES ARE PART OF OUR LIVES. so, your child may be ready for a cell phone. and computer time may not be ready for the many media: It’s getting easier to download movies,
They’re powerful tools, and more and more • Does your child need a cell phone for safety apps available for a smartphone. television shows, and music, providing instant
children are using them. For parents, the chal reasons? If so, it may be time. If your child wants Research the cost of the phone and the plan access to all kinds of entertainment.
lenge is to make sure their children can handle a cell phone for social reasons, it might be best when determining whether a smartphone is right
the responsibility and understand the risks the to wait. for your child. An older child might be able to earn
technology brings. money to pay for part of the smartphone bill.
Consider insuring your child’s smartphone, es
out of
Is your child ready for a cell pecially if your child has a history of losing things.
kids who have a
phone?
12
Average age kids Make sure your child knows how the insurance
mobile phone have
There is no ideal age to give a child a cell phone. receive their first policy works and what the deductible is.
The right age depends on the child. Here are a smartphone.*
mobile phone.*
some points to consider: *Source: GfK study commissioned by AT&T involving
• Has your child accepted responsibility for 1,000 parents and 500 children ages 8 to 17.
privileges such as a pet or an expensive toy? If
TEACHING KIDS HOW TO
Behave
ONLINE
DID YOU EVER NOTICE THAT PEOPLE OFTEN What is a good digital citizen? Digital Code of Conduct
are ruder and less civil online than they would be • Acting the same online as you do in person. • Don’t give out or post your personal
in person? Teaching children that you should treat • Being respectful of others. information.
people online the same as you would in person • Not copying something that isn’t yours. • Give everything the “grandma test” before
out of
is an important lesson. This concept is called digi • Staying safe from cybercriminals. texting or posting to a social network: Would you
kids say their parents set
tal citizenship. Digital citizenship means helping • Protecting personal information and want your grandmother to see it?
children understand that the standards of behav maintaining online privacy. • Treat others online as you would treat them
rules for mobile phone use.*
ior when you are speaking with someone online in person.
or through texting are the same as when you are As a parent, where do you start? • Stand up for others. Don’t tolerate bullying.
talking to someone face-to-face. • Understand how your child uses technology • Avoid plagiarism and copyright infringement.
Teaching digital citizenship requires an ongoing to connect and socialize with his friends. • Keep your password a secret.
conversation between parents and children. Par • Get comfortable with technology by using • Delete suspicious emails. Parental Controls
ents must teach children to make smart choices the same tools as your child. • Ignore contact from strangers online. As a parent, you have power when it comes
and behave responsibly while they are using • Set rules to follow, with consequences, when • Check with a parent or another trusted adult to mobile phone safety. Educating your child is
digital technology. using digital tools. before downloading or clicking on anything. the most important thing you can do. You can
It’s not unusual for children to use new appli • Let your child practice, and provide help also access tools from your service provider or
cations and try new technologies before parents along the way. Keeping your child safe online, app store. For example, you can look for tools
do. That’s one reason it’s so important for parents whether via a mobile device or that help to:
to teach their children how to behave respon home computer: • Block calls and text messages.
sibly online. If children understand the basics • Set limits on use. • Prevent text messages or phone calls
of kids think it’s
of responsible online behavior, they can apply • Become familiar with the sites your child visits. during certain times of day.
OK for parents
those standards no matter how the technology 90% to set rules about
• Know your child’s online friends. • Restrict website browsing during certain
changes. And whether or not you’re up on the • Know your child’s passwords. times of day.
mobile phone use.*
technology, you are still your child’s best teacher • Keep security software up to date. • Know where your kids are at any time.
for behaving responsibly. • Reinforce that the same rules apply whether
*Source: GfK study commissioned by AT&T involving your child is using a home computer or a mobile
1,000 parents and 500 children ages 8 to 17. device.
Establishing
HERE ARE SOME CONSIDERATIONS: is lost or stolen. Make sure your child knows who
• Make it clear to your child what the phone is will pay the insurance deductible or be responsible
Ground Rules
for. Maybe it’s just for safety and for calling par for a replacement.
ents, in which case your child will only use the • Establish real consequences for violations of
phone occasionally. home and school cell phone rules. Having a mo
• If your child is older and allowed to use the bile phone is a privilege, not a right. Be sure your
No matter what type of cell phone you choose for your child, it’s important to phone to socialize with friends, set limits on how child knows of the consequences if the rules are
establish rules and consequences. much time your child can spend on the cell phone. broken.
There are tools available to let you restrict the
number of texts and set time restrictions for using Cell phone safety rules:
the phone. • Do not give out personal information, includ
• Let your child know when it’s OK to use ing date of birth, full name, address, school, or
the phone. Maybe she can spend 30 minutes text phone number.
ing friends after homework is completed or on • Do not share passwords with anyone other
weekend mornings. than parents.
• Check the rules for cell phone use at school. • Do not text photos that reveal your location
Decide whether it’s worth it for your child to or other private information, such as the name of
take the cell phone to school. For younger kids, your school.
it might be better to leave the phone at home. • Do not lend your phone to someone you
For older kids, make sure they know the school don’t know.
rules and consequences. Using their phone to • Tell your parents about calls or texts you get
cheat on a quiz, for example, can result in severe from someone you don’t know, as well as any
punishment. thing related to your phone that makes you feel
• Decide what you’ll do if your child’s phone uncomfortable.
Mobile Safety I will stay safe: I will be a good digital citizen:
Family Agreement I will not give out any personal information,
including my birthday, last name, address,
I agree not to bully anyone online or on my
mobile phone by sending pictures or sharing
school, photo, or phone number. videos without the permission of each person
Use this agreement as an opportunity to talk about how your family uses mobile in the photo or video. I will not spread gossip,
I will tell my parents if anything happens while
technology. It’s designed to help parents establish guidelines and expectations so that set up fake profiles, or say cruel things about
I use my mobile phone that makes me feel
kids and parents can get on the same page about mobile safety and responsibility. For people.
upset, sad, or unsafe.
a complete version of this agreement, go to www.att.com/familyagreement.
I agree not to use technology to cheat on
I will not share my password with anyone schoolwork.
other than my parents, not even my best
friend.
I will not change my password without telling
my parents.
CHILD
I will talk to my parents before creating a
social networking profile.
I will set privacy controls when posting infor PARENT
mation to social networking sites.
I will tell my parents about creepy messages
from people I don’t know.
WHAT’S WITH
All the
Texting?
IT’S HARD FOR ADULTS TO GRASP HOW MUCH Not all kids can handle having a cell phone that • Never send a text from someone else’s
kids text. A 2010 Nielsen study found that teens allows texting. If your child wants to text all the phone. of kids report that
text more than they talk on the phone, averaging time instead of having in-person conversations, • Never use sexually explicit language, and they have ridden
an astounding 3,146 text messages per month.
Texting can be an easy and quick way to com
reading books, and playing outdoors, consider
returning to a basic cell phone.
never send a sexually explicit photo of yourself or
a photo that could be misinterpreted as sexual or
53% with someone who
was texting and
municate with your child about details like where Here are some guidelines to discuss when racy. This is called sexting, and it’s never OK—it is driving.*
she is and when she’ll be home. On the other hand, teaching your child about texting: even illegal in some places.
careless texting can result in hurt feelings, broken • Don’t text something you wouldn’t say in • Never send a photo of someone that could
friendships, and damaged reputations. front of your parents or post on a billboard for cause that person embarrassment. *Source: GfK study commissioned by AT&T involving
If your child has a phone that allows texting, the world to see. Texts can be forwarded to • Never send texts that intimidate or bully 1,000 parents and 500 children ages 8 to 17.
you can set limits on the number of texts he is others and taken out of context. another person.
allowed each billing cycle. Also, it’s important • Think before you hit send. Once you send • Don’t text while having a face-to-face conver
to model good texting etiquette and safety prac a text, you can’t reel it back in. sation or eating a meal with others.
tices. Don’t text while having a conversation with • Never text while driving, and never ride • Don’t keep checking your phone for texts
your child, watching a school event, or especially with anyone who texts while driving; it’s very while talking to a friend, family member, or
while driving. dangerous. anyone else.Apps: Where To Start? APPS CAN BE POWERFUL ADD-ONS TO ANY he wants or needs, and spend time searching for smartphone. Apps are simply small software the best app. applications, and they allow access to all kinds of • Research thoroughly. Often the creator of content, including services, games, and books. an app recommends the age range and describes Apps are supposed to make your life easier and its features. Do your own research by reading user more fun, but the number of apps can be over reviews and downloading a free preview. whelming and costly. Some are child-appropriate • Watch the price. The cost of apps can vary and others are not. widely. Make sure your child is using the apps you Here are some tips when considering apps for download. She may think she needs apps to help your child’s smartphone: with studying, manage her money, and keep track • Don’t judge an app by its title. Lots of apps of her activities, but she might find the time spent have similar names. Make sure you know what using them is not worth the effort. If you allow your you’re downloading. Research user reviews. child to play games on her phone, consider how • Check the connections. Some apps may many games she has time to play. allow kids to play games with people they don’t • Set limits. If your child has games and other know. Turn off these multiplayer options. apps intended for fun, set limits on use. • Be alert for ads. Look for apps that don’t • Other apps. If you’re wondering whether have ads. These apps might be more expensive, there’s an app for that, then chances are there is. but it may be worth the price to avoid exposing You and your child can download apps to help your child to inappropriate advertisements. with homework and to keep the family organized. • Do the shopping for your child. Features of Your child can learn to manage money by tracking adult apps are often displayed next to the ones for spending. Work together to decide which apps kids, including user comments that might not be are worthwhile and which ones will just become age-appropriate. Find out what your child thinks another distraction.
Safe and Smart
Cell Phone Checklist
Our checklist will help you navigate the process of buying your
child’s first mobile phone.
Choosing a phone Learning about safety features Setting the rules
D etermine why your child is getting a cell Set parental controls, such as purchase block Spell out ground rules. When is it OK for your S ign a mobile safety agreement with your
phone. Is it just for safety and communicating ing, call blocking, monthly limits on texts, and child to text? When is it OK to use a smartphone child.
with parents? Or is it also for socializing? monthly limits for premium purchases. Manage at school?
T alk to your child about apps, and help him
your kids’ access to the web by turning on con
Choose a basic cell phone if your child will Make sure your child understands the conse find ones that are appropriate.
tent filters to block sites with mature content
only use it to call parents. quences of using the smartphone in a careless,
T each your child not to download anything or
and shutting off search capabilities. (Available
inconsiderate, or inappropriate way.
Consider a smartphone if you believe your open attachments without your supervision.
on basic and messaging phones only.)
child is ready for the responsibility that comes Talk to your child about digital citizenship,
M
odel responsible cell phone etiquette and
Familiarize yourself with your child’s phone
with the social features. including proper manners when texting and
safety habits.
and then go over the features with him, dis
talking on a cell phone.
Research plans and find the best one for your cussing how to use each feature appropriately. N
ever text while driving.
family. Talk to your child about social media, and re
Work with your child to set a password and
mind her of the importance of not revealing
Consider insuring your child’s smartphone. discuss the importance of never sharing the
her location via Facebook. Help your child set
Explain the insurance policy to your child, and password or changing it without letting a
up any social media profile, and make sure you
make it clear who would pay the deductible. parent know.
know the passwords.
Make sure the phone has antivirus protection.You can also read
