Digital Smarts - Five Rules for Cell Phone Carrying Kids (and Their Parents)

Allowing your kids to take cell phones to school comes with a whole set of rules that need to be followed, but having a conversation about “responsible use” can be a tough one. Common Sense Media has an article on their site about essential cell phone guidelines that can help any discussion on the topic get started and stay on track. Included tips are respecting the school’s rules, answering the phone when parents call (after all they are paying for the privilege), asking permission before downloading apps, and using a phone for good, not evil. As for parents, a good rule of thumb is to not text your kid during the school day unless it is a real emergency. Finding out how he or she did on a test or who got picked for the hockey team can, and should, wait until they get home. And make sure, if your kid does text you while at school, that he or she is not breaking any rules to do so.