1. The “Text” Commandments Hosted by Virginia Perry and Devon Davis *With added notes from February 4, 2009 Cell Phone Forum

2. Potential Dangers ▪ Pictures ▪ Mean texts ▪ Rumors ▪ DISTRACTION ▪ Embarrassment ▪ Trail of information

3. 3 Hours Amount of time the average teen spends texting a day

4. What are the ADVANTAGES of cell phones at home? Increases parent-child availability Frees up home phone Adds security in case of emergency *Provides social network, cultural connections Some operate as calculator or GPS Teaches about technology Provides opportunity to learn phone manners Provides latitude, independence Allows multi-tasking Encourages parents to get involved in child’s world (i.e. learning to text) Encourages parents to model phone manners and appropriate use

5. What are the DISADVANTAGES of cell phones at home? Creates distractions Leads to mistakes due to trying unsuccessfully to multi-task Limits parental control, especially texting Creates vulnerability, example cyber-bullying Limits manners, vocabulary, face-to-face social skills Can cause loss of privacy Gives false sense of being anonymous, taking inappropriate liberties Can encourage group misbehavior *Causes peer pressure issues Can open children to “sexting” Creates additional cost and supervision responsibilities for parents

6. What are the ADVANTAGES of cell phones at school ? Establishes convenient parent-child communication Some have ability for note taking (smart phones) Provides opportunity to teach responsibility

7. What are the DISADVANTAGES of cell phones at school ? Limits community building Creates confusion, i.e. need to clarify and enforce rules Creates distractions (I.e. texting on phone in one’s pocket) Lack of parental control

8. What guidelines do you have for your child’s cell phone use? Not allowed to call or text after 9 pm Use only after homework is done Rules need to be clear and supported by teachers and parents Specific place to put phone when not in use Help pay for monthly expenses

9. What phone guidelines did your parent(s) have for you, growing up? Think about yourself at age 10, 11, 12, 13…did you have unlimited access to a phone? When were you allowed to use the phone (if at all)? Was the phone located in a central spot or were you able to have private conversations?

10. Junior High Rules Cell phones may be used before and after school outside the building. Otherwise, they should be turned off and left in lockers during the school day. Violating the rules during school hours will result in the following: FIRST OFFENSE: Phone will be confiscated and kept in the office for a day. Student given detention. SECOND OFFENSE : Phone will be confiscated and sent home to parents. Parents will be notified that student cannot bring phone to school again.

11. Middle School Rules Cell phones are not allowed in Middle School during school hours. If they are used or ring during school hours, the cell phone will be taken away and sent home at the end of the day. If there is a recurrence, we reserve the right to ask that the cell phone not return to school for the remainder of the academic year.

12. Ideal Home Rules The rules that work for one family might not necessarily work for another. The most important thing to remember is that a cell phone is a privilege, not a right. If this privilege is abused, it should be removed. There are “parental controls” offered by the major carriers which offer copies of text messages, calling and texting time constraints, and calling and texting amount constraints.