Cell (mobile) phone safety
Basic safety tips
Using a cell phone to send and receive text messages and/or images, is very similar to using e-mail or instant messaging and some of the same safety rules apply. You cell (mobile) phone can be a direct link between you and spammers, scammers, identity thieves, online predators and cyberbullies. On this page you will find some basic tips on cell (mobile) phone safety:
Protect your privacy
- Only give your mobile number out to people you know and can trust.
- Never reply to text messages from people you don’t know.
- Make sure you know how to block others from calling your phone
Respect others
Think about how a text message might be read, before you send it. Just like e-mail, text messages can be taken the wrong way. Think about the message you are sending and use emoticons to convey the meaning of your text, like lol (laughing out loud) and. Sending someone a text that could be taken the wrong way might upset them.
You should never give anyone else's number out without asking them if it is OK first because you never know what they are going to use it for once they have it. If the person asking is genuine, they will not mind you saying "No" until you have checked it is OK.
You should never take pictures of anyone, with your phone, without their permission. Some people simply do not like having their photograph taken and it is a question of manners to ask permission first. Additionally, once you have an image on your phone you can distribute it and/or upload it to the Internet. Once you do that, it is anybody's guess where that image might end up!
Use you common sense
Be careful if you meet someone in real life who you only "know" through text messaging. Even though text messaging is often the "next step" after online chatting, that does not mean that it is safer. You still do not really know who you are talking to/texting with and they might not be telling you the truth about themselves. With any face to face meeting, you should tell someone where you are going, take someone with you and arrange to meet in daylight in a public place (like the mall).
Don't be a target. Wandering around with your phone in plain view can be dangerous. if you are not using it, put it in your pocket or your bag, out of sight and only use it in public when absolutely necessary. Cell phone theft is a common crime and often, the thieves will attack and injure (in some cases, even kill) the owner of a phone. More...
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