• Create rules about cell phone use and set limits, including who they may communicate with and when they may use their cell phones
• Be aware of who your children are communicating with on the phone and through text messaging. Review cell phone records for any unknown numbers and late night phone calls
• Teach your children to never post their cell phone number anywhere online
• Talk with your children about
  • What appropriate and inappropriate uses of a cell phone and camera are
  • The possible consequences of sharing too much personal information
  • What to do if someone online asks them for their cell phone number
• Teach children that it is wrong to send hurtful or mean text messages to their peers. Remind them that their text messages may be intercepted or used by others so they should use appropriate language and never reveal personal information
• Remind children to come to you if anyone sends them a threatening or frightening message. If your children are being stalked, harassed, or threatened in any way, report the incident to your service provider and local law-enforcement agency. If the material is lewd, obscene, or illegal, also report it at www.cybertipline.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678
• 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
• Think about removing the Internet feature from your child’s cell phone through your provider or consider creating settings to control or prohibit access to the Internet, e-mail, or text messaging. Remember that a GPS option, if offered by your provider, could be used to help locate your children if they are lost

Tips for Kids and Teens

• Never share your wireless number and personal or identifying information with anyone you don’t know and trust and without your parent or guardian's permission. Respect your friends’ privacy by never sharing their number or information
• Never use your wireless device to take, send, or post pictures or video of your friends without permission from their parents or guardians. Taking or sharing embarrassing pictures of someone is a form of bullying and harassment
• Once you post an image or video online you can’t get it back. Think before you send any pictures
  • Is this something you would show to your grandmother?
  • Would you be embarrassed if this pic was posted in the hallways of your school?
  • What does this picture say about you? What impression are you giving?
  • Will this picture keep you from receiving a scholarship, job, or acceptance into college?
• Be careful about who you give your cell phone number to. Be aware that online predators are hoping to gain access to your world by communicating with you. Don’t fall for it
• Never respond to threatening or frightening voice messages, text messages, or photos. When that happens tell your parent, guardian, or another trusted adult to report the incident to your service provider
• Having a cell phone is a privilege, not a right. Be respectful of your parent or guardian’s rules about your cell phone. They are only trying to protect you