Resource Guide on Cell Phone and Internet Safety

1. Resource Guide on Cell Phone and Internet Safety Wheelock College Master’s of Social Work Candidates

2. Overview • This resource guide discusses tools and strategies on how parents can help keep their children safe while using cell phones and the internet.

3. Table of Contents • This resource guide is divided into three sections. • Communication – Slide 4 • Cell Phone Safety with your Children – Slide 7 • Internet Safety with your Children – Slide 15

4. Communication • This resource guide provides tools for parents to use. • Depending on your family, some tools will be useful and some will not. • When it comes to cell phone and internet safety the key to helping your child stay safe is communication. Creating dialogue with your children regarding these topics will create a safe space where children feel comfortable to talk about these issues.

5. Conversation Starters • Although talking to your children is extremely important, starting the conversation can be difficult. Below is a link with scenarios and questions to help you start the conversation. • http://www.cyberbullying.us/cyberbullying_scripts.pdf

6. Tips for Conversation • Be prepared to start the conversation • You may have to start the conversation many times • If your child opens up, let him/her talk • Listen, not lecture • Empower your child • Statistics show that between 30%-60% of children have been/are being bullied online or over the phone and 85-90% of those children have not told their parents • Statistics show that children are afraid to talk to their parents because they are concerned that they may lose the internet, phone privileges, or the harassment may escalate. Remember : No Conversation is Too Short

7. Cell Phone Safety With Your Children

8. Finding the Right Cell Phone for Your Child • Cell phones have become much more prominent in young people’s lives. • When thinking about getting your child his/her first phone, look into phones that are limited to call certain numbers or phones which are unable to text.

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10. Cell Phone Contract • After or even before you purchase a cell phone for your child, it is important to have a conversation about what the responsibilities and guidelines are of having a cell phone. • Some parents have found that when having this conversation with their child, developing a contract was a useful tool. The contract helps hold children accountable and ensure that the guidelines are clear.

11. Cell Phone Contract cont.. • The contract should include the expectations of the child and the parent. • Some examples to include in the contract are: • I will not give out my number to people my parents do not know. • I will not bring my cell phone to school. • I will not send hurtful messages to anyone.

12. Cell Phone Contract cont.. • Below is an example of a cell phone contract from The Cyberbullying Research Center. • http://www.cyberbullying.us/Cyberbullying_cell_phone_contract.pdf

13. School’s Policies • The cell phone contract could include points about usage in school. • It may be beneficial to know what your child’s school cell phone policies are. This way you and your child have clear guidelines regarding cell phones when at home and at school.

14. Setting Locks on Children’s Phones • Having a password set on your child’s phone can guarantee that you and your child are the only people using the phone. • In most phones the ‘Settings/Tools’ menu has a security option where you can set a password in order to use the phone. Be sure to ask your cell phone provider more about the specific security options for your child’s phone.

15. Internet Usage Safety With Your Children

16. Internet Contract • Children are starting to use the internet at a young age. The internet can be a great resource for children, but it can also create a plethora of information not age appropriate or create an outlet that is unsafe for children. • Creating an internet contract is important because you and your children will be clear about the guidelines regarding internet usage.

17. Internet Contract cont.. • Creating contracts is useful because the guidelines are clear and concise; children are held accountable. Contracts are important because it leads to communication about the internet. • These conversations are essential because they help children understand the importance of internet safety and lead to open communication regarding internet issues in the future.

18. Internet Contract cont.. • All families are different so every internet contract will be different. Here are some suggested topics to include in the children’s section of the contract: • I will never give out personal information online. • I will never write or post anything that I would not want my parents to see. • I will respect people online.

19. Internet Contract cont… • The Cyberbullying Research Center developed this family internet contract. • This sample can be tailored to make it successful for your family. • http://www.cyberbullying.us/Internet_use_contract.pdf

20. Common Spaces • Keeping the computer in a communal space is a great way to help keep your child safe. • Research has shown that when computers are kept in a communal space children are less likely to visit inappropriate sites and are less likely to or be subjected to cyberbullying or cyberbully someone.

21. Monitoring Internet Usage • If deemed appropriate, there are ways to block and allow certain websites online. • This will enable you to set a password lock on certain sites that your children can or cannot visit.

22. Monitoring Internet Usage cont.. How To Allow or Block Websites on a PC: • Go to Internet Explorer • Click on ‘Tools’ • At the bottom select ‘Internet Options’ • Click on the ‘Content’ link at the top • Choose ‘Settings’ • Create a password • The content advisor box will pop up. • Select the approved sites tab. • Enter websites to allow or websites to block. • Click ‘Apply’.

23. Monitoring Internet Usage cont.. How To Allow or Block Websites on a MAC: • Go into “Systems Control” • Click on “Parental Controls” • Enter your password • Create a guest account for your child • Click on “Manage Parental Controls From an Other Computer” • Click on the “Web” tab and list what websites you want to block and/or allow your child to access

24. Social Media Website Usage • Social media websites have become very popular for young children. • Even though social media websites have required age restrictions, children are still able to access the sites. • Social media websites such as Facebook, MySpace, Tumblr, and Formspring are some of the most commonly used sites. • If deemed appropriate for your family, some parents have made their own social media accounts to help track the usage of their children’s accounts.

25. Social Media Website Usage • On most social media websites there is a prompt on the homepage where you can sign up and create your own account. This allows parents to monitor children’s usage by seeing how they use these social media websites.

26. School’s Internet Policies • Keeping your child safe is a collaborative effort. • Similar to school cell phone policies, it is important for parents and children to know the school’s internet policies. This will create clear guidelines for home and school internet usage. • This could also be added to the internet usage contract.

27. Monitoring Software • Monitoring software can be a useful tool to supervise your child’s internet activities. • Here are some examples of monitoring software that parents can purchase: • WebWatcher • SpyAgent • Iambigbrother • Spectorpro • Eblaster • Before taking this step it is important to continuously have conversations with your children regarding internet safety and why you have set guidelines.

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