Cell Phone Safety

Citiguard Security Guard Services knows that cell phones can be valuable tools in preventing and reporting crime, but sometimes people use cell phones to bully or cause other problems. The Wireless Foundation’s GET WISE ABOUT WIRELESS program helps educate students about the responsible behaviors associated with using cell phones. GET WISE ABOUT WIRELESS is designed to encourage educators and families to help  students practice proper cell phone etiquette and safe behavior. It also seeks to serve as a catalyst for discussions at home among family members about using wireless technology in their day-to-day lives.

a few things you need to know about Cyberbullying… 

The instant access that cell phones and the Internet provide means that children need to use common sense when it comes to cyber communication. This includes knowing how to handle cyberbullies who use text, email, voice, and instant messages, as well as photos to embarrass, insult, and unnerve kids. 

A 2007 study of approximately 2,000 middle school students in grades 6 though 8 found that 42.9% of them had at least one of the following experiences in the last 30 days: 

1. received an email or an instant message that made them upset 
2. had something posted on a social networking site that made them upset 
3. had been made fun of in a chat room 
4. had something posted on a Web site that made them upset 
5. had something posted online that they did not want others to see 
6. were afraid to go on the computer 

About the same number of students reported being victims of cyberbullying as being bullies—17% 

review these Additional Tips with your child: 

1.  Program family phone numbers into your phone for easy access. 
2.  If there is an emergency, don’t wait, call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number). 
3.  Remember that photos you send stay online forever and can be sent to anyone. 
4.  Follow the rules about cell phone use. Cell phones shouldn’t be used in some places.