We've been having the "when can I get a cell phone?" conversation for a few years now. My kids see it as a "when" rather than an "if". And I have to admit, while I thought 11 was a bit too young, there have been definite times when I am glad Ryan has a phone. We got him one over the summer, a couple months before his 12th birthday. Complete with rules we expect him to follow.
Some of his friends have had them for a few years already, and I readily admit that the exposure it offers him freaks me out at times. He's a good kid. He's a smart kid. He has tech-savvy parents. But sh*t happens - right?
How do we protect our kids while teaching them to use this technology responsibly? How do we help them make good choices?
If you are a parent (or grandparent, or aunt, or cousin) of a tween or teen, you know that there are REAL issues that kids face today when it comes to mobile phones. Issues like bullying, privacy, over-usage, texting while driving and MORE.
AT&T has made a commitment to be a leader in providing education, resources and tools to help families better manage their mobile safety. And I am happy to be working with them to share this information with you.
If you are interested in learning more, AT&T is offering the opportunity to attend a virtual Mobile Safety School lesson, to one of my readers - along with a $50 VISA Gift Card (you do NOT have to be an AT&T customer!)
The Virtual Mobile Safety School schedule is as follows:
Oct 23 at 1p ET - mobile safety for kids 8-11
Oct 24 at 1p ET - mobile safety for kids 12-14
Oct 25 at 1p ET - mobile safety for kids 15-17
Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
catch you soon -
note- The Motherhood, on behalf of AT&T, provided me with the information for this post. They are also offering free product(s) to give away to a reader. As always, all opinions expressed are my very own.
I don't have kids in that age range (yet), but would love to attend either the 8-11 or the 12-14 session, so I can pass on those tips to my sister for my nephews, who both have cell phones. I'm most concerned about the potential for bullying.
ReplyDeleteI would love the session for kids 8-11! Lily is not quite there; but will be before I know it!
ReplyDeleteI am most concerned about privacy issues and unknown calls. Oct. 23 would be great to attend.
ReplyDeleteI'm most concerned about identity theft and I would attend the October 23rd session.
ReplyDeleteName on rafflecopter: Mary Happymommy
Thank you!
I would attend the Oct. 23rd session. I am mot concerned about my child talking to the strangers on the phone.
ReplyDeleteWe teach our children about "tangible" dangers, but forget about technology. October 25th would be best for me. My daughter doesn't realize the power she has in her mobile device.
ReplyDeleteOct 25 at 1p ET. I'm most concerned about privacy, and my son's digital footprint.
ReplyDelete*Wendy T on RC.
Thank you.
I'd like Oct 25th. I'm concerned about identity theft.
ReplyDeleteOct 23 at 1p ET - mobile safety for kids 8-11
ReplyDeleteIm concerned about inappropriate content & texts
I would attend the Oct 23. session and I am concerned about my kids receiving unwanted cell phone calls.
ReplyDeletekellywcuATyahooDOTcom
I'd like to attend the Oct 25 session. I am most concerned about privacy.
ReplyDeleteI would like to attend the Oct. 23. My daughters are still young, so my concern is having them drop or break the phone.
ReplyDelete10/25 session
ReplyDeleteI am very concerned about texting while driving
thanks
aunteegem@yahoo.com
10/23 and i'm most concerned about cellphones and bullying :/ scg00387 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI'd like to attend on October 25th because we have teens. I am curious about how to handle calls from unknown numbers and how to educate my kids about sexting (yikes!).
ReplyDeleteThanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
October 23rd. Right now my kids are pretty young so they wont be getting cell phones any time soon but in the future I want to make sure they know that there are things they need to know regarding safety when they get a cell phone.
ReplyDeleteI am most concerned about social networking being used on the phone and being used to bully, sexting, texting while driving and harrasing phone calls/telemarketing
ReplyDeleteI would attend the one on Oct 23 1p ET for kids 8-11. I worry mostly about peer pressure. We moved to a larger town and I feel like my kids have much more pressure to conform here.
ReplyDeletebvbabybv at gmail dot com
Oct 25 at 1p ET - mobile safety for kids 15-17 -- Texting while driving.
ReplyDeleteOct 23 1p ET for kids 8-11
ReplyDeleteOct 23 1p ET for kids 8-11
ReplyDeleteoct 23 and i am most concerned about picture messages
ReplyDeleteamber.perkins1(at)yahoo.com
I'm most concerned about texting and driving among young people and I would attend the Oct 24 1p ET for kids 12-14
ReplyDeleterjwashington2000@yahoo.com
Oct 25 1p ET for kids 15-17, most concerned about texting while driving.
ReplyDeleteOct. 25. I'm most concerned about texting and driving.
ReplyDeletehuntandride@hotmail.com
Oct 23 for kids 8 -11. I'm most concerned about cyberbullying.
ReplyDeleteOct. 25
ReplyDeletelanalbradstream(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oct 24 at 1p ET - mobile safety for kids 12-14 session is what i would like to attend (livivua chandler)
ReplyDeleteThe oct 23 date
ReplyDeleteOctober 25... I'm concerned about people texting and driving.
ReplyDelete-Amy Lee
Oct 23
ReplyDeletei'm concerned about texting and driving
flyergal82 AT (yahoo) /dot/ $com%
Oct 24 1p ET
ReplyDeletelittleheathen9109 @ yah00 d0t c0m