Owning and using a phone requires a level of responsibility.
With this responsibility, however, comes more opportunities
to make mistakes, and greater accountability for those
mistakes. If your child is receiving their first phone
or first smartphone, show them the following set of
rules to make sure that they know your role in their
use of the phone, understand what appropriate phone
etiquette and conduct is, and will use their phones
responsibly.
1. Ownership
I am paying for the phone. This means that I own it,
and you are allowed to use it.
2. Access
Because it is my phone, I will have access to it. I
will always know the password.
3. Responsibility
If you lose it, break it, or otherwise damage it, you
are responsible for the damage and will cover any costs.
4. Accountability
Do not text or say anything using your phone that you
would not say in person. Never text anything that you
would not want your grandmother to read.
5. Safety
Do not text while walking, biking, skateboarding, or
driving!
6. Communicate
If someone sends you an inappropriate message or says
something inappropriate during a call, let us know right
away!
7. Respect
Never say anything using your phone that would make
someone else uncomfortable. Never use your phone to
harass anyone in any way.
8. Socialize
When you are with others, stay off the phone. Turn it
off or put it on silent, and put it away. Try to leave
it at home when you know you will not need it while
you are out.
9. Courtesy
If someone calls, answer their call and say hello. Never
screen calls and ignore messages from me or any other
family member.
10. Punishment
Your phone is a privilege, and it may be taken away.
We can take it from you as we see fit, and if we do,
we will talk with you about why.
Feel free to print or modify the above to suit your
families need. You may even with to go a step further
and ask your child to sign a copy.
About the Author -
NotePage, Inc. develops SMS, alphanumeric paging and
wireless messaging software solutions. http://www.notepage.net
|