Smart Phone Safety: Helping Your Teen Navigate a Digital World
Jun 27, 2024
If you have a teenager, chances are technology – particularly a cell phone – plays a major role in his or her life. Because smart phones are essentially mini computers, your teen has access to much more than just calling and texting. Help keep them safe by laying down a few ground rules together.
Set Boundaries
How strict you choose to be with your teen’s phone is completely your decision. Here are a few examples of how to set boundaries. Consider telling them:
No downloading apps or games without parent approval
To disconnect one hour before bed
That the phone is subject to random checks/monitoring
To report any harassing calls/texts/private messages directly to a parent
No sharing personal information, such as social security number, address or credit card information
Once you’ve set some boundaries, you may want to consider a technology agreement that both you and your teen sign together. Check out a few templates here.
Privacy Settings
Depending on the type of phone, privacy settings can vary. The intent is to keep your information safe. For example, Location Services is a feature under Privacy Settings. If turned on, someone with access to the phone can see everywhere your teen has been in the past month, down to the date, address and time. Location Services can determine an approximate location using GPS and Bluetooth technology, which is why many people turn it off so they can’t be tracked.
General Phone Safety
Here a few tips to keep personal information safe and secure:
Set a passcode (passcode is required to unlock the phone).
Add ICE contacts. ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. Even if a phone is locked, the ICE contacts can still be accessed and called.
Download the ICE app. First responders can use it to see emergency contacts, insurance information and medical conditions (such as allergies or diabetes).
Download free apps available for Apple and Android phones that make it easy to find a phone if it becomes lost or stolen.
If using the internet to log in to personal accounts (bank accounts, online shopping, social media, etc.), make sure to log out and completely close the browser when finished. Do not store passwords or ask the browser to remember passwords.
As a parent, the most important thing you can do is research – stay informed. Once you learn which apps your teen is using, try browsing free safety apps and ask your teen to download a few. Make it fun by acting out a situation and ask your teen to use the safety app the same way he or she would in a real-life situation.
Learn more about technology safety at http://www.bewebsmart.com/. This site offers articles, tips, guidance and reviews for parents who want to keep their families safe and productive online.
Alena Schuckmann is the Digital Communications Specialist for The Center for Family Safety and Healing. Alena graduated with a degree in communications and a minor in art from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Alena is a skilled digital content creator who has had various articles and photographs published locally and nationwide.
Sheryl Clinger
The Center for Family Safety and Healing
Sheryl earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education at Bowling Green State University and has a variety of experience in the fields of Human Resources, Organizational Development and Administration. She joined The Center for Family Safety and Healing in 2005 and currently serves as the Director of External Affairs.
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