Wireless Online Safety Glossary of Terms

3G & 4G: General terms that refer to new wireless technologies which offer increased capacity to access music, video and other capabilities over digital wireless networks.

App (Application): Downloadable video games, wallpaper, social networks or almost anything that adds a function or feature to a wireless handset which are available for free or a fee.

Common Short Codes: Five– or six–digit numbers which allow wireless devices to send text messages for value-added services such as televoting campaigns, mobile coupons and other promotions.

Contract Plan (Post-Paid): The most popular cell phone plan in which a subscriber agrees to a contract for a certain period of time, usually a year to two and in exchange, the carrier provides the customer with a lower monthly rate and subsidized handset. There may be a fee if you want to cancel the contract before it expires. CTIA developed a voluntary Consumer Code to help consumers make informed choices when selecting wireless service.

Cyberbullying: Annoying, threatening, harassing, humiliating, or embarrassing messages sent to victims by kids or teens using a text, e-mail, instant message, blog or the internet generally.

Friending: Building your SocNet by accepting friends, family or acquaintances who ask to join your SocNet.

Location Based Services (LBS): An information, advertising or entertainment service that uses the geographical position of a cell phone. CTIA developed voluntary LBS Best Practices and Guidelines to promote and protect user privacy.

Parental Control Tools: Services offered by wireless carriers or third parties that allow parents to limit or monitor their child’s cell phone use. CTIA developed voluntary Guidelines for Carrier Content Classification and Internet Access.

Prepaid Plan: This plan allows customers to purchase a pre-determined amount of minutes for a set price and when you are out of minutes you can purchase additional services. Some prepaid plans include text messaging and other wireless data services. CTIA developed the voluntary Consumer Code to help consumers make informed choices when selecting wireless service.

Premium Text: Text to or from a commercial entity that delivers news, information, images, ringtones or entertainment for a fee above standard messaging rates.

Privacy Settings: Ability to determine how much personally identifiable information (PII) is shared digitally.

Sexting: The sending of inappropriate explicit or implicit sexual messages or images electronically, but primarily between cell phones.

Smart Phone: Wireless phones with advanced data features and often keyboards or touch screens. What makes the phone “smart” is its ability to manage and transmit data in addition to voice calls.

SocNet (Social Networking): An online community of people who share similar interests (e.g. Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Ning, and more).

Status Update: Publishing a personal message over a SocNet regarding an emotion, comment or information.

Text (Short Message Service/SMS): Short Messaging Service enables users to send and receive short text messages (usually about 160 characters) on wireless handsets. Also referred to as “text messaging.”

Wi-Fi®: Provides wireless connectivity over unlicensed spectrum (using the IEEE 802.11 standards), generally in the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands. Wi-Fi® offers local area connectivity to Wi-Fi®-enabled computers and handsets.