Cell+Phones

=Cell Phones = Teens love to stay connected and using cell phones with all of their gadgets is the norm. With the introduction of the internet available on most cell phones today, not only are students using them for social communication but cell phones are rapidly becoming a research tool as well. However, using the "tool for school" is not an excuse for irresponsible cell phone use nor is it a ticket to be allowed to use the cell phone anytime, for anything. Pranks and jokes using cell phones can have serious consequences and students should think before they click or post. Be smart when using a cell phone. All of the same tips for safe use with computers apply to cell phones. Something to consider is that often when young people are using phones they are away from home and the usual support system. Students should be careful about giving out their phone number and when using other technologies (GPS) that can pinpoint their physical location. Have students review these [|cell phone safety tips] from [|ConnectSafely].

Kids Who Use Cell Phones To Take Nude Self Portraits Rue It When The Pics Wind Up On The Web
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/04/national/main4153765.shtml?source=RSSattr=SciTech_4153765 media type="custom" key="1040179"  http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4156262n 1. Did you know that sending inappropriate pictures over a phone is considered porn? 2. What reasons do you think someone would have for doing this? What alternative activities could they do instead? 3. What should you do if you see an inappropriate picture of someone that you know on a cell phone or the internet?
 * Possible discussion questions:**

Monitor Your Child's Cell Phone
media type="custom" key="1032423" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X-qZdLAEx4 1. Do you think that teens overuse their cell phones? 2. Do you think parents should be able to monitor or limit cell phone use? 3. What are characteristics of a responsible cell phone user?
 * Possible discussion questions:**

Marketing Cell Phones to Kids
Did you know that kids can be a marketing target? Watch this news clip from [|CBS News]Video.  http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=2819564n 1. Do you think that you are targeted by the media to buy digital products? 2. What commercials have you seen lately that are directed primarily at kids? 3. Do you feel you HAVE to have a cell phone because of the media? 
 * Possible discussion questions:**

**Cell Phones** - talking and texting behind the wheel
Ok, so you can't drive... yet. What do you think about using the cell phone behind the wheel of a car? Watch these news clips from [|CBS News.]  http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4226402n  http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=3067204n 1. Does the government have the right to ban certain types of cell phone use? 2. Can you pay complete attention to a task and still talk on the cell phone? 3. What are the risks involved for talking/texting while driving? 4. Should there be a law banning cell phones while driving? Why or why not? 
 * Possible discussion questions:**

**<span style="color: rgb(215, 9, 9)"><span style="color: rgb(201, 8, 8)"><span style="color: rgb(200, 4, 4)"> Follow up activities:  **
1. Do a survey of your grade or school regarding how many students have cell phones and identify such categories as: use text, use pictures, use phone, use internet, etc. Be sure to include how much time students spend doing these activities each day/week. Publish your results in the school newspaper or blog/wiki.

2. Using tips that you learned, make up a quiz about safe cell phone use and share it with your class/school. Be sure to give a scale to define how many correct answers make a student a responsible cell phone user.