Look before they leap.
Make sure you understand what the mobile device you’re buying for your
kids can do. (Remember the 3Cs?) Let them know what features you don’t
want them using and which ones are safe. And remind them that you will be watching. This is a matter of parental choice and control. The wireless industry is providing some significant help here too. They have voluntarily adopted a set of principles relating to mobile content provided by the carriers themselves, pledging not to offer any “Restricted Content” (material rated appropriate for those 18 and older) until the carrier has an authentication system in place. No carrier is offering
“Restricted Content”, but if they did their guidelines allow parents to stay in
control and make choices for themselves and their children.
Do unto others as you would Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
It is too easy for our children to act out online knowing that they might never have to face the other person in real life. Not having to look a person in
the eye makes it easier to be rude, lewd or hostile. This is a good time to remind
your children to treat others online and off with R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Now...go have some fun and play a little! The opportunities wireless communication
is allowing us are fantastic. And if you are still tech-challenged, ask your kids for help.
For more cybersafety tips and help, visit WiredSafety.org, the world’s largest Internet and wireless safety and help group.
