Technology has really enhanced the way we communicate with each other on a daily bases.? We have learned to use cell phone technology as well as internet social networking sites as a way to communicate with family and others around the world. Parents are now finding that supplying their children with cell phones for daily contact and after school communication is a great way to stay in touch and know where our children are on a minute to minute bases. This is why AT&T is offering Mobile Safety school for parents with children ages 8-11.
My daughter just turned 12 year and she has been asking me for a cell phone for over a year. Last year when I picked her up from school I noticed that more than half of the kids had cell phones.? I honestly don?t think there is a need for her to have one at this time and I personally think that children at this age use them as a form of nonverbal communication through texting, as well as a means to cheat during classes.? Texting answers back and forth. After attending AT&T?s Mobile Safety School? I feel that if in the future I do provided my daughter with a cell phone I have the knowledge to make it a safe experience for her and keep me informed on important details on her use such as texting messages in and out, as well as location, and limiting numbers she can call.
AT&T? Cell Phone Safety Tips For Parents
Concerns and Thoughts: Average Age for Children to get a cell phone is 12.1 yrs old.
- 53% of kids have been in a motor vehicle with someone who was texting and driving
- Over 1 in 5 have received a mean or bullying text message from another kid on their mobile phone
- Almost half (46%) have a friend who has received a message or picture that their parents would not have liked because it was too sexual
- 69% have answered a call from an unknown number
Are Parents Setting Rules for Cell Phone Usage
AT&T has found only 66% of kids said they do have rules on their phone usage. BUT, 90% said they would be OK with parents setting rules.
What Rules are you setting?
- Do you allow your children to have cell phones at the dinner Table?
- Does your child use the cell phones after bedtime? Charge the phone in your at night to eliminate this.
- In School Texting? Does your child set rules for cell phone usage in school. This maybe something to look into.
School Cell phone rules: 93% of kids have rules on their phones at school. So even if they don?t have rules at home ? they are used to having them at school, and it could be a smooth transition to implement some of those rules at home.
Monitoring Phone Usage, Texts, and Calls
Only 76% of parents say they monitor their kids? phones. However, only 42% of kids say their parents monitor their phone. A few things could be happening here. Parents may be saying they monitor their kids? phones, but actually give them more freedom. OR, parents are monitoring their kids? phones without telling them that they are doing so.
2 of 5 kids say their parents have not talked to them about mobile safety, and they are more likely to have heard from their parents about stranger danger, alcohol and drugs and sex education that these issues. While these are the standard safety issues that kids learn about from their parents and at school, these other issues are a reality for kids in today?s world.
Limit your Child Texting Messages
AT&T has a product called Smart Limits for Wireless? and for $4.99 a month you set a monthly limit on the Text messages you?ll allow your child to send.
Family Locator App: Family Map
Family Map is an app you can download for your family on your individual phones. You sign up yourself and your family members, and it allows you to log in and see where a particular phone is. If your child is always with their phone and you want to make sure they arrive at a particular destination safely, you can log in and see that phone on a map. You can also set alerts to make sure you check in at specific times.
It allows you to check on your kids without bothering them ? avoiding the issue of texting while driving, etc.
Looking for more resources and ways to talk to your child about Cell phone usage? AT&T has put together a variety of resources. From learning what other families are doing through videos, or downloadable tip sheets and more. Visit http://www.att.com/familysafety for information.
Feel free to pass this information on to family and friends by sharing this post or sharing the link to AT&T Family Mobile Safety Tips.
TWITTER party
AT&T Scheduled Twitter party!? To Be held on Friday, Nov. 9, at 2p ET.
Here?s the Twtvite: http://twtvite.com/
Disclosure: Information provided by AT&T and the Motherhood. I was compensated for attending the AT&T Mobile safety school and posting. Thoughts are 100% my own.
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