Mobile phones make it easy for people to send and receive content. Even the unwanted and inappropriate ones. Your child is not an exception. Sexual offenders typically use the mobile phone as bait, as means of connecting with their would be victim. Much like Internet safety, supervision and regulation are the best ways you can protect your child from falling prey to abusers. Some steps you can take:
1. Program only your number and numbers of other people who have a legitimate reason for calling your child (such as caregivers or classmates). Teach your child to never answer calls from other numbers.
2. Some phones can be programmed so that they do not receive calls from unprogrammed numbers.
3. If your child receives a text message from an unknown number or person, your child should never answer and should show this to you.
4. Give your child the cellphone only if you will be apart, and make sure it is turned off when she is in class or it is time to do homework. You may also want to establish a phone curfew, by asking them to surrender their phones to you at a certain time of the night.
5. Set budget caps for load. She can only use a certain amount from her allowance or she cannot spend more than a certain amount in a week or month.
6. Ask from time to time who calls or texts her.
7. Even if your child is older (say, in high school), she should never entertain texts or calls from people claiming to be girls or boys her age who wants to be friends.
8. Even if the text message is from someone they know, if the content make them uncomfortable, they should tell you right away. Emphasize that you will not blame her or get mad.
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