ARE YOU CELL PHONE SAVVY?

Here are some practical tips  for cell phone use:

• Follow your schools rules about using your phone in school.
• Answer your phone if your parent calls or return it immediately if you are in a restricted area of use or if you missed it.
• Don't use your phone to share photos that could embarass you or others.
• Don't share photos of others without their permission.
• Don't be mean or say nasty things about others in your text messaging.
• Don't support others or pass along their messages if they do this.
• Don't download, add or subscribe to anything on your phone without your parent's permission.
• Don't disable the parental controls on the phone.
• Talk to your parents or counselor at school if you are uncomfortable with messages you are getting
• Do not text or talk to anyone you don't know - tell your parents if a stranger keeps trying to contact you.
• Never use your phone to arrange meetings with anyone.
• Stay within your phone plan's usage limits and review the usage with your parents if you go over the limit. Or even better, get a prepaid cell phone to have more control over your minutes.

What about cyber bullying?

You really need to use common sense when it comes to internet and phone communication.  This includes knowing how to handle bullies, who use text, IM, e-mail, voice as well as phone to embarrass, insult and unnerve kids.

Be sure to:

• Program family phone numbers into your phone for easy access.
• If there is an emergency, don't wait, call 9-1-1  or your local emergency number.
• Program ICE - In Case of Emergency in your phone - to your parent or guardian
  
• Remember that photos you send stay online forever!
• Don't forget ettiquette - don't yell in to your phone. Find a quite space away from other people if you want to have a phone call that lasts more than one minute.
• Don't be texting or talking on your phone if you are spending time with friends - that is just rude!
• Don't use too many abbreviations - actually type out as many words as you can
• Don't get sucked into games
  
• Turn your phone off at movies, concerts, theater, church, school, dance class and any other place where people should not have to hear it
• Never, ever, ever text while you are driving - or talk on the phone when you are driving - it is very unsafe  - and you could be killed.