A cellular telephone is a great way to ensure you always have a way to get in touch with your child. It has both benefits and risks. It is important for every parent or guardian to consider the risks and benefits before purchasing a phone for their child and take an active roll in helping children and teens learn to use cell phones safely. The first step is talking with your child about their phone use and setting some ground rules.

Cell phones are small Computers

Cell Phones are more than just phones nowadays they are small computers able to access the internet, manage contacts, play games, take pictures and video and more. Before you buy a cell phone for your child you must understand what the cell phones capabilities are, and what services do or don't come with it.
Kids and teens are finding uses for cell phones we did not even dream of just 20 years ago.  

Selecting a cell phone and its features

• There are phones for children with parental safety controls. Recently, these phones have become more sophisticated in style, shape, and design. They now look like regular cell phones, and give adults more control over how they are used.  We have assembled some of them here.
• You may want to select a programmable phone that allows children to make or receive calls only to/from telephone numbers previously approved by a parent or guardian. This way children still have a way of communicating with parents and guardians but the phone’s safety features help prevent them from making or receiving calls from someone you do not approve of (or perhaps even know)
• You can check with your cell phone carrier to find what they offer Click here for a list of carriers with parental controls.
• You can select cell phones for children and teens that do not allow text messaging or Internet access and do not have a built-in camera
• Program a number that says “ICE – Mom” or “ICE – Grandma” and automatically dials to the corresponding phone numbers. ICE is an acronym that stands for “In Case of Emergency”
• Familiarize yourself with your child’s phone. Read the manual and learn about its features
• Think about removing the Internet feature from your child’s cell phone through your cell phone provider. Often times it will save you money on your monthly bill
• Review cell phone records for any unknown numbers and late night phone calls by using a reverse phone number lookup service. 
  

Talk to your children and set rules

• Explain to children how important it is to be aware of their surroundings, even when using the phone. Discuss with them when to use the phone, how to use it responsibly, and your expectations for their behavior with the phone
• Create rules about cell phone use and set limits, including who they may communicate with and when they may use their cell phones 
• Teach your children to never post their cell phone number anywhere online
• Talk with your child or teen about
  • What appropriate and inappropriate uses of a cell phone and camera are
  • The possible consequences of sharing too much personal information
  • The importance of telling you or another trusted adult if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable
  • Teach children that it is wrong to send hurtful or mean text messages to their peers. And remind them to come to you if this happens to them-
  • Talk to children about the possible implications of sending sexually explicit images of themselves. They could be prosecuted. And they lose control of that image once it’s out there -
    
  • What to do if someone online asks them for their cell phone number