They keep me young – I am putting them on the right road.
Grandparent carer
MOBILE PHONES
Many parents and carers find that allowing their children to use mobile phones has benefits, such as keeping in touch while away, and making calls in emergencies. However, mobile phones are no longer just a way to make voice calls. Many mobiles include cameras, sound recording capability, and can even track where you – or your children - are. Increasing numbers of mobile phones are also Internet enabled, which means that you can connect to the Internet, access email, and participate in IM (Instant Messaging) as well as chat.
The ‘always on’ nature of mobile services means that children are more vulnerable to the risks, which include bullying, people making inappropriate contact, as well as the possibility that they’ll access unsuitable ‘adult’ content.
Tips:
- Stay involved with your child’s use of new technologies. Ask your child to show you how his or her phone works, or borrow it and play with it until you are familiar with it.
- Find out how access to ‘adult’ content and other services offered by your child’s mobile phone can be managed. Such information is usually available on the carrier’s website.
- Remind your children to keep their personal details private and to think about who they give their phone number to. People can’t send them nasty or unwanted messages if they don’t have your child’s phone number.
Go to www.cybersmartkids.com.au for more information and tips. Cybersmart Kids Online is a community awareness project developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with the objective of providing parents and children with information and tools to help them have a rewarding, productive and safe experience of the internet.
Adapted with permission from the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s web site www.cybersmartkids.com.au.
