Safety Tips for Mobile Internet Use

September 12, 2009

Social Networking goes Mobile

Talk with your kids about these five safety tips.

  1. Don’t text (or surf) and drive.
    According to SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, instant and text messaging while driving leads the list as the biggest distraction while driving.  When it comes to teen driving, put the danger of text-messaging while driving right up there with drunken driving as Public Enemies No. 1 and 1A on the nation’s roads.  Read more: http://tinyurl.com/nn5w26
  2. Think before you upload photos or video from mobile phone to the Internet. Mobile phones allow instantaneous sharing of media between teens. Some of the most serious teen issues involving mobile phone use emerge from the ability to share photos and video.  Example: Child pornography is against the law.  Kids under 18 who share nude photos of themselves or others can be convicted of possession of and distribution of child pornography. Talk to your child about these serious issues.
  3. Don’t store passwords to social sites on your phone.  If your phone is lost or stolen and your passwords are on the phone, your personal information will be available and your social sites will be vulnerable to take over by a stranger.
  4. Social mapping – Announcing where you are may not be a good idea.  Smart phones are now capable of mapping where you are so others can find and meet up with you.   This information in the hands of a predator is extremely dangerous.
  5. Texting/Facebooking strangers – Don’t share personal info or talk about sex with strangers. Don’t text someone you don’t know. Don’t answer or respond to messages that include sexual content.

Posted by Michelle Cullison | Filed Under MySpace 

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