At least 1/3 of the ways a cell phone can be used to
cyberbully someone involve taking control of someone’s cell phone. They do it
by grabbing it when the owner isn’t looking. They reprogram contacts, change speed-dial
settings, erase music, photos, videos and games, swap SIM cards, send nasty
messages that appear to be from the victim, forwarding private stored images to
themselves, buying expensive downloads, prank calling someone or calling China.
Keep an eye on your
phone! Keeping your cell phone secure is crucial. Leaving it on
your lunch tray when you go back for another drink, or in your jacket pocket draped over your chair
make it an easy target for cyberbullies who want to have some fun at your
expense. Know where it is at all times. And don’t trust your friends to do it
for you. While your friends may be very trustworthy, sometimes the temptation
of a “practical joke” or secret resentment may be more than they can handle.
And you have made it easy for them to make you this afternoon’s entertainment.
Seventy percent of the students polled by Teenangels reported that
cyberbullying came from “friends.”
Lock it up! Passwords and auto-locks are
a pain sometimes. They slow things down. But if you use them, the extra few
seconds will pay off if your phone is lost, stolen or in the hands of a
cyberbully trying to use it against you. Most lock codes are limited to
numerals (although iPhone will allow numbers and letters now). It’s hard to be
secure with four numbers. But if you are careful and don’t use four numbers
that are easy to guess or a code everyone knows you use, you can make it much
harder to break into your phone. And that little extra bother might make a big
difference. Set it to auto-lock if not in use for 1 minute and if your
smartphone allows for additional password protections, use them.
Back it up! If your cell phone is lost,
stolen or reprogrammed, it can be a disaster. Sometimes cyberbullies will
exchange your SIM card with that of another student they are also
cyberbullying. Or they reset the defaults and take your phone back to its
original settings, erasing all data, content and contacts. Having a backup
makes it easy to take back your cell phone life easily. It also works when you
leave your cell phone in your soon-to-be-laundered jean’s pocket or lose it at
the mall. Many cell phone service providers offer a free backup service. There
are some free and low-cost apps for that too. Make it a weekly practice if you
do it manually, or an auto-middle of the night setting otherwise. (While you
are at it, suggest your parents and other family members back up their phones
too.)
Sharing isn’t good!
Many students share their cell phones with friends. This is becoming
even more common with so many students on unlimited texting, data and calling
plans. If you are going to share your cell phone with someone, unlock it
yourself and try and keep your code private. Then check the text and call log
afterwards. If something goes wrong, you will have to answer to your parents or
the authorities. You’re entitled to know what others are doing with your phone.
And set rules and let your friends know, in advance, what those rules are. It’s
your phone. You’re allowed.
The 4 Ps
– Don’t store anything that you don’t want your Parents, Principal, a Predator
or the Police to see, read or find out about on your cell phone. If you have a
photo you don’t want others to see, delete it from your phone, or password
protect it. If someone sends you a photo you don’t want, delete it (or report
it before you do).
