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Tips for safe texting and responsible cell (mobile) phone use

Understand what you are sending (and receiving)

The lingo (language) used to send text messages consists of many shortcuts which appear as acronyms and/or symbols that, to the uninitiated, can be incomprehensible (like f U do not undRstNd DIS sNteNc U nEd 2 Lern txt lingo). There are obvious risks here, from the potential danger or embarrassment of responding inappropriately to a message you do not fully understand to not being aware of what your child is sending or reading. It is vital that parents learn the basics of text messaging, despite the way kids cringe when they hear their parents using the latest (or what they think is the latest) "cool" youth buzzword (in fact - using "cool" or "buzzword" may be prime examples of that particular cross-generation social gaffe <g>).

However, let them cringe. Learn what the acronyms and symbols they use mean. At the end of the day, it could save vital time in the unthinkable event that something happens to your child and their cell phone or IM conversation record is your only clue as to what has preceded.

Our fabulous Teenangels (specially trained volunteers, aged 13 to 17) have developed the Teenangels Chat Translator, which features over 1 500 translations of the acronyms and symbols used to communicate via SMS messaging and IM.

At the Teenangels Web site (which they design and maintain themselves) you can:

• Download the Teenangels Chat Translator.
• View and add to the Teenangels chat lingo terms.
• Download the list of acronyms used in the Chat Translator.

• Follow this link to visit the Teenangels Web site and download the Teenangels Chat Translator >>

Instant messsaging and text messaging

Many IM clients now include an option to send a text message directly to the user's cell phone. This feature can be abused by spammers, scammers, identity thieves, online predators and cyberbullies. Since many cell phones are now capable of accessing the Internet and sending/receiving images the dangers associated with them are increasing in tandem with the advances in technology. Steps can be taken to minimize the risks to cell phone users, especially children:

• Make sure that online profiles do not contain any personally identifiable information.
• Avoid posting your cell phone number online.
• Learn how to engage blocking on your cell phone.
• Never respond to text messages from someone you don't know.
• Never let someone you don't know use your cell phone.

• Follow this link for basic safety tips to protect you and your cell (mobile) phone >>
• Follow this link for basic instant messaging safety tips >>

Respect for others

Using a cell phone in a public place can cause annoyance, if you talk loudly and continuously or have a loud, aggravating ring tone. This could, indirectly, place you in physical danger - cases of "cell phone rage" have been cited and a growing number of pedestrian and road traffic accidents are the result of a lapse of attention caused by using a cell phone. Don't text and/or talk on your cell phone when driving (it is dangerous and therefore illegal in many places) and if you must use your cell phone in a public place:

• Keep calls short and don't advertize your phone.
• Try and send a text instead of calling.
• Set your phone to vibrate not ring.
• Talk normally, there is no need to shout down your phone.
• Don't text and walk, if you are looking at the phone you are not looking where you are going.

Health

In addition, there is some considerable debate over the physiological effects of using cell phones. Reseach into the effects of radiofrequency energy and radiation levels from cell phones is ongoing. There is, as yet, no conclusive evidence that having a cell phone clamped to the side of your head for the best part of the day is dangerous, however, just as it is not deemed healthy to be sat in front of a computer all day, it is equally obvious that chatting on a phone all day carries similar concerns. Think about it - do you really need to make that call or could you send a text? Texting involves less time and expense and just like computers, cell phones should be used sensibly - try and limit the time you spend using them - they are a comunication tool, not a bionic limb.

The translation of the text sentence at the top of this page is: If you do not understand this sentence you need to learn text lingo.

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