Keeping kids safe
Children, mobiles and the internet
Keeping kids safe
Are mobiles bad for your health?
Obviously, we don't think so. And the Department of Health and the World Health Organisation also agree it's safe for both adults and children to use mobile phones.
Even so, kids and teenagers' brains are still growing. So the UK Chief Medical Officer recommends that they should only use their mobiles for essential calls - and keep them short. We agree.
Can having a mobile make your child a target?
Honestly, yes. And it's important for kids to know that. It's natural for them to want to show off their phone to their friends. But it's best not to flash it around or draw attention to it.
Remember: it's easier to text discreetly than talk quietly.
What if someone steals their mobile, or it goes missing?
Call us on 0870 521 4000 as soon as you can. We'll block the SIM so no one else can use it. Then you'll need to call or go to your local police station to report it.
Talking points
What can you say to your kids?
- If you have to make a call in public, talk quietly. Or use a hands-free headset.
- Keep your mobile hidden - like in your jacket or coat pocket.
- Don't leave your mobile where you can't reach it quickly.
- Don't lend it to strangers (or friends, unless it's a genuine emergency).
- Stay alert. Don't get so caught up in talking or texting that you aren't aware of what's going on around you (like traffic).
- Stick to well-lit areas and look around you before you use your mobile.
- If someone's calling you and you don't feel it's safe to answer, let it go to voicemail. Remember, you don't always have to pick up or reply right away.
- Set up a PIN or password on your mobile, so you're the only one who can use it.
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Second opinion
The Department of Health has a really useful leaflet about mobile phones and health, called 'Mobile phones and base stations'. To read it, go to www.dh.gov.uk and type 'mobile phones and base stations' into the search box at the top of the screen.
Be prepared
Every mobile has a unique 15-digit IMEI number, like a fingerprint. It's on the label behind the battery. If you write it down somewhere safe, the police can use it to identify your phone if they find it. The police also recommend you register your mobile on immobilise.com for free.
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