The ABC’s of Technology – Cell Phones and Our Kids

You may have come across the news story regarding a number of starlet actresses and their cell phones.  Several unethical websites began publishing some racy photos of these ladies in the past couple of days, and an investigation into the matter determined that someone had hacked into their cell phones and downloaded the pictures fromthem.  Apparently some of the actresses even admitted to authorities that they had either taken the photos themselves or allowed someone else to take them.

This news story immediately prompted me to ask two questions:

1.  Who in their right mind would store those kinds of photos on the cell phone?
2. How come whenever celebrities do something inappropriate online it’s always because their accounts were hacked?

As curious as these stories are, they do serve as a reminder to us about the inherent risks involved in using internet-enabled cell phones.   While cell phones are a powerful and fun piece of technology to own (I’ll freely admit that I love my HTC Evo), they can also be dangerous in the wrong hands, especially when those hands belong to a teenager.

The love affair between teenagers and their cell phones is well documented.  One national survey found that 75% of teens in the U.S. own a cell phone, and another study discovered that the majority of teens would rather lose the ability to speak than lose their cell phone privileges.  In fact, the term “cell phone” is really becoming obsolete.  What many people use today is really a mobile computing device, the phone feature is often the least used part of a cell phone!

Teens use their cell phones primarily to send text messages to each other, update their Facebook page, watch videos, and visit internet sites.  Cell phone manufacturers are taking notice.  HTC is now promoting its Status phone, which has a dedicated Facebook button to make it even easier for teens (and adults) to upload photos, videos, and status updates to their Facebook page.

So what are some of the risks that parents should be aware of when handing their teen a cell phone?  Here are just a few of the risks that we discuss in our Tech 101 workshop:

· Recognize that cell phones with data and text plans severe limit your ability to monitor your child’s internet usage!  I am amazed at how many parents will lock the family computer down and then give their teens an iphone or similar cell phone.  Kids can use their phones to go anywhere online that they can go to on a computer…and many times get there even faster!

· Cell Phones with cameras allow kids to almost instantly record an image or video and upload it to the internet for the world to see.  Many kids lack the “filter” to process what is appropriate.

· An iPad, iPod Touch, or most of the PSP or handheld gaming devices can do all the same technology as a regular cell phone (“there’s an app for that”).  They just need wifi access to send texts, visit websites or even make phone calls.

· Because of all the above, the practice of “sexting” is becoming more and more prevelant among teens.  Sexting is the practice of sending sexually explicit photos or text through one’s mobile phone to friends or potential suitors.  Think your teen isn’t at risk?  Studies have shown that sexting is most popular among white/Caucasian kids who live in the suburbs, are in middle to upper class families and have a high church involvement.

Next week we will explore the sexting epidemic that is facing our teens and look at not online why it is so popular, but also why kids with a Christian upbringing are so attracted to it.