My Kid Did What!!! How to help your child live in a connected community

Awareness Bullying, teasing, and being a menace Anyone | Anywhere | Anytime Sexting and nude/suggestive photos = Child Pornography Driving while texting or using cell phone Cyber Stalking and abusive relationships Kids DO NOT know how to handle the technology

Awareness Too trusting – friends today, enemies tomorrow Xbox, Wii, Playstation Profiles and Chat Abstract thinking. Brain not developed enough. Can’t comprehend what happens to text or post to facebook. Can’t see the consequences of their actions.

Connected Kids Let’s be real… the cell phone is not just for safety. It’s a social lifeline for teens and you don’t want your child to be left out. Second only to clothing, teens say, a person’s cell phone tells the most about their social status or popularity, outranking jewelry, watches and shoes.

Connected Kids 1 in 5 teens have received a suggestive or nearly naked image of someone they know – Pew Study

Connected Kids The median daily total that teens send and receive was or 1,500 a month. Girls typically send and receive 80 texts a day, and boys come in at 30.

What are the dangers? Location, Location, Location. Cell phones embed GPS info into photos and videos. The cell phone is the direct line of communication and influence in your child’s life. You NEED to own it. Children make poor decisions. Cell phones amplify these poor decisions in a matter of seconds to lots of social outlets.

Who’s talking to your child? Who is influencing your child’s behaviors, social interactions, and decision making? Your child’s cell phone contains the answer.

The Ripple Effect What your child doesn’t comprehend It’s gossip on steroids

Suggestions for Parents Take the cell phone away at night Talk, talk, and talk some more about being responsible Disable access to the web

Suggestions for Parents Check your child’s phone often and know the access code Use parent for Facebook account Contact your Cell Carrier to setup Parental Controls

Parent Controls Limits on when a wireless phone can make and receive calls and to whom Restrictions on text messages and talk time Set allowances for ring tones and other downloads

Parent Monitoring Software

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