For Your Family: Cell Phone Safety Tips

December 19, 2012 (WLS) -- Getting your teen a cell phone this holiday? SafetyWeb is offering 10 great tips for cell phone safety for kids.

Parents usually get the cell phones for their kids for safety reasons and there are some very important things to remember when sharing this responsibility with your children.

1. Select Appropriate Phone Features. If your child is under 10, they probably don't need a phone with unlimited social networking or email capabilities. Likewise, the actual phone itself doesn't need built-in features like a web browser or video messaging. For a young child, look for basic phones. Review all pre-programmed apps and phone capabilities beforehand.

2. Limit Usage. Designate time slots for talking  perhaps after homework and chores are completed, or before dinner. Don't let constant calls interrupt family time. It's easy for a chatty teen to cuddle up to a phone at bedtime, so check periodically.

3. Wait - Before Answering. Instruct your child not to answer calls or text messages from numbers they don't recognize. If it is important, the caller will leave a message and then he can decide how to respond. Explain how to block calls from unwanted numbers.

For more information on the other seven tips, visit www.safetyweb.com.

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for your family, judy hsu

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