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Children And Mobile Phones - The Facts
What Else Should You Know?
As with any communication tool, mobile phones are open to different forms of misuse and/or abuse. As the number of children using mobile phones rises, so does the number of children who have experienced some form of corrupt usage. Common problems include:
1) Bullying - One in five young people has been bullied via a mobile phone* or the Internet. This can be an effective way of bullying because it can be completely anonymous and information can be quickly passed between perpetrators.
2) Fraud scams - direct targeting of mobile phone users with illicit or fraudulent premium rate charged material commonly via text messages e.g. ring tones
3) Phone theft - Phone theft, even in the playground, thefts occur mainly due to demand for the latest 'must have technology'. According to the police half of all street crime involves theft of mobile phone
These problems can be reduced by giving children phones, like the Teddyfone, without the features which attract unwelcome attention.
Tips To Safeguard Phones Include:
- Keep the phone out of sight when not in use
- Inform the service provider if the phone is stolen
- Security mark the phone with a UV pen with your postcode and address
- Record details of the electronic phones serial number at www.immobilise.com
- If your child is mugged, tell them not to fight back.
For more information about mobile phone safety, why not try the following websites:
www.younglivin.org.uk
www.bbc.co.uk
www.millysfund.org.uk
www.mobilemastinfo.com
www.met.police.uk
*Research by Childrens Charity NCH, June 2005
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