Keep Your Kids Safe
parent_child_cellphone_contract_version_1.doc | |
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Parent/Child contract: putting the ball in your child's court
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“I need a cellphone mom/dad – all my friends have one, and I am the only one who can’t chat on BBM. I feel so left out and I am going to lose all my friends. I don’t know why you won’t get me one, its soooooooooooooooo much cheaper chatting on BBM and you will save so much money because I will use less airtime” – Does this sound familiar? As a parent, you are most definitely not alone. Every child/teenager in South Africa wants a cellphone and most probably a Blackberry (in fact most adults would fall into this category as well) The reasons vary from “cheaper chatting” to “so many functions” to “fitting in with the crowd”. Whatever the REAL reasons, the fact remains: “Owning a cellphone or a Blackberry is the passport to some sort of cell phone Nirvana”.
Every BB owner will sing the device’s praises from morning to night. Very few phones enjoy the owner ‘loyalty’ that a BB does, and the BB following in South Africa can be compared to the hysterical tweens obsessing and screeching over Justin Bieber. Let’s face it: The Blackberry is an incredible device! (and apart from doing all sorts of pretty cool tricks...it really DOES keep ‘chatting costs’ low with the fantastic Blackberry Messenger app) A recent study has also shown that instant messaging/online chatting is NOT nearly as negative as what initial studies reported. A leading researcher from the University of California, found that instant messaging and social networking sites encourage youngsters to express themselves, and that these ‘sites’ are in fact tools that assist with effective communication. It stands to reason that a lot of the ‘negativity’ surrounding smart phones and specifically Blackberry devices is in fact unwarranted.
So yes; there are many REAL benefits in store should you decide to give your child a cellphone, but there are also (understandably) many real fears. So: to buy or not to buy?
Some parents make the decision on behalf of their children, whilst others consult with their children. A variety of factors come into play, and many parents simply feel overwhelmed (due to the fact they might not be up to date with technology).
In order to find the ‘happy’ medium, it is important to realise that whilst you will make the final decision, your child should also be part of the process and discussions. One method of remaining in control (as a parent) is to get your child to realise that owning a ‘cellphone’ will mean some responsibility and accountability from their side – in terms of use, abuse and etiquette.
Should you decide to purchase a cellphone for your child, we suggest that you present him/her (regardless of age) with a “mini contract” to sign. This ‘contract’, serves as a commitment to responsible ownership and usage. By signing this, your child agrees to certain terms and conditions of use, and also accepts responsibility for any contraventions. The contract is set out below and a version which you can download and print is at the top of this page.
THE CELLPHONE COMMITMENT:
I......................................................................... agree to the following:
1. I will use my cellphone responsibly.
2. I will stick to all the terms and conditions of use given to me by my parents/guardians.
3. I will only use the phone for entertainment purposes (BBM, Face book, Games, Apps, and Music) during times I am allowed to. The times will be decided by my parents/guardians.
4. I will NOT try to download or use any apps, nor will I visit any sites that have been ‘banned’ by my parents/guardians.
5. I will always report ANY suspicious online behaviour to my parents/guardians, as well as any behaviour that scares or worries me.
6. I will always stay within the airtime budget I have been given by my parents/guardians.
7. I will not take and send ANY photographs to anyone but my family and close friends.
8. I will make sure that I read any safety tips available before I visit any websites or join any chat sites – I will also read and take notice of any warnings that are given in the media, and on websites such as www.cellphonesafety.co.za
9. I will not accept any contacts on ANY social networking sites or instant messaging services like BBM, that I do not know personally (‘real life’). I will only accept family and friends as contacts. I will not accept any contacts that are introduced to me by my friends, unless I have met them before and trust them.
10. I will allow my parents/guardian to block any websites they don’t want me to use or visit.
11. I will not make use of BBM during school, study and family time – If I break this rule, I realise that my phone might be taken away without any further warning.
12. I will obey all school rules about cell phone use.
13. I will look after my phone, as I realise it is an expensive item to replace – If I lose the phone due to carelessness, I will take full responsibility.
14. I will always respect the basic rules of decency when using my cell phone: I will not take calls and use the phone when I am in a group-unless it is urgent. I will switch my phone off when I am with my family and we are spending time together.
15. I am prepared to take full responsibility for my actions, and I am willing to be held accountable for my actions.
I will be a polite, respectful and responsible cellphone owner.
SIGNED:
DATE:
LOCATION:
PARENT/GUARDIAN’S SIGNATURE:
Every BB owner will sing the device’s praises from morning to night. Very few phones enjoy the owner ‘loyalty’ that a BB does, and the BB following in South Africa can be compared to the hysterical tweens obsessing and screeching over Justin Bieber. Let’s face it: The Blackberry is an incredible device! (and apart from doing all sorts of pretty cool tricks...it really DOES keep ‘chatting costs’ low with the fantastic Blackberry Messenger app) A recent study has also shown that instant messaging/online chatting is NOT nearly as negative as what initial studies reported. A leading researcher from the University of California, found that instant messaging and social networking sites encourage youngsters to express themselves, and that these ‘sites’ are in fact tools that assist with effective communication. It stands to reason that a lot of the ‘negativity’ surrounding smart phones and specifically Blackberry devices is in fact unwarranted.
So yes; there are many REAL benefits in store should you decide to give your child a cellphone, but there are also (understandably) many real fears. So: to buy or not to buy?
Some parents make the decision on behalf of their children, whilst others consult with their children. A variety of factors come into play, and many parents simply feel overwhelmed (due to the fact they might not be up to date with technology).
In order to find the ‘happy’ medium, it is important to realise that whilst you will make the final decision, your child should also be part of the process and discussions. One method of remaining in control (as a parent) is to get your child to realise that owning a ‘cellphone’ will mean some responsibility and accountability from their side – in terms of use, abuse and etiquette.
Should you decide to purchase a cellphone for your child, we suggest that you present him/her (regardless of age) with a “mini contract” to sign. This ‘contract’, serves as a commitment to responsible ownership and usage. By signing this, your child agrees to certain terms and conditions of use, and also accepts responsibility for any contraventions. The contract is set out below and a version which you can download and print is at the top of this page.
THE CELLPHONE COMMITMENT:
I......................................................................... agree to the following:
1. I will use my cellphone responsibly.
2. I will stick to all the terms and conditions of use given to me by my parents/guardians.
3. I will only use the phone for entertainment purposes (BBM, Face book, Games, Apps, and Music) during times I am allowed to. The times will be decided by my parents/guardians.
4. I will NOT try to download or use any apps, nor will I visit any sites that have been ‘banned’ by my parents/guardians.
5. I will always report ANY suspicious online behaviour to my parents/guardians, as well as any behaviour that scares or worries me.
6. I will always stay within the airtime budget I have been given by my parents/guardians.
7. I will not take and send ANY photographs to anyone but my family and close friends.
8. I will make sure that I read any safety tips available before I visit any websites or join any chat sites – I will also read and take notice of any warnings that are given in the media, and on websites such as www.cellphonesafety.co.za
9. I will not accept any contacts on ANY social networking sites or instant messaging services like BBM, that I do not know personally (‘real life’). I will only accept family and friends as contacts. I will not accept any contacts that are introduced to me by my friends, unless I have met them before and trust them.
10. I will allow my parents/guardian to block any websites they don’t want me to use or visit.
11. I will not make use of BBM during school, study and family time – If I break this rule, I realise that my phone might be taken away without any further warning.
12. I will obey all school rules about cell phone use.
13. I will look after my phone, as I realise it is an expensive item to replace – If I lose the phone due to carelessness, I will take full responsibility.
14. I will always respect the basic rules of decency when using my cell phone: I will not take calls and use the phone when I am in a group-unless it is urgent. I will switch my phone off when I am with my family and we are spending time together.
15. I am prepared to take full responsibility for my actions, and I am willing to be held accountable for my actions.
I will be a polite, respectful and responsible cellphone owner.
SIGNED:
DATE:
LOCATION:
PARENT/GUARDIAN’S SIGNATURE: