Internet Safety for Kids & Families

Cell Phone Safety & Security

Cell phones are a favorite way for people to get online. Like any device that is internet-connected, it has all the risks that come with using a computer. Some phones also give you the ability to take and send pictures immediately. This has drawn a lot of attention of late because some kids have taken and sent nude or inappropriate photos of themselves or others using their cell phone.

There are also now cell-phone applications that let you track someone’s physical location via the phone. These GPS applications can be powerful tools – to let parents track the whereabouts of their kids, for example – but could also be used by someone who has bad intentions.

What you can do:

Talk about appropriate use.
- Communicate with others using your phone – whether by voice or text – with respect.
- Do not use your phone to say or post anything about yourself that you wouldn’t want the world to know. Even if you communicate this to one person in private, once it is sent or posted, it is there forever.
- Do not take, distribute or store nude photos of anyone under 18. You could be charged with production, distribution, or possession of child pornography, a serious crime. Some jurisdictions may even make you register as a sex offender which will be permanently on your record.
Use a GPS application that lets you maintain your privacy so you can share your physical location only with people you know.
Use security software for your phone – Many websites are now the entry points for malicious software to access your personal information. Just like computers, mobile phones can be hacked by cybercriminals. Use a security application to protect your personal information from being stolen, such as Trend Micro’s Smart Surfing for iPhone (free of charge).

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