ages + stages | teen
| by Dr . Laura Markam
ages + stages | teen
| by Dr . Laura Markam
Aha Parenting
7 . Never respond to numbers you don ’ t recognize
8 . If you receive an unsolicited text , that ’ s spam . Don ’ t click on it . Instead , tell your parents so they can report the problem and have the caller blocked .
9 . Don ’ t download apps without your parents ’ permission
10 . Don ’ t wear your cell phone on your body and don ’ t use it if you can use a landline . Cell phones are always looking for a signal , and that means they ’ re sending out waves that you don ’ t want going through your body . Cancer ? Maybe . We don ’ t know enough yet . So why not just be cautious ?
11 . Set up your charging station in the living room so your phone is not in your room at night .
12 . No cell phones out of your backpack while you ’ re in class . And of course turn the sound off . picture can be copied and forwarded to others . Anyone could see it . It happens all the time to great kids . Just don ’ t send it .
5 . If you receive a sexy photo , immediately delete it from your phone , tell your parents , and block the number so you can ’ t receive more . Possession or distribution of sexual pictures of people who are underage is illegal .
6 . Never broadcast your location or post your cell number .
13 . Have a life . Don ’ t feel obligated to respond to texts right away and don ’ t text until homework is done , during dinner , or after 9pm .
14 . L8R – Later ! If you ’ re driving , turn off your cell phone and put it in a bag where you can ’ t reach it in the back seat . ( Make sure you have directions before you start out .)
15 . Monitor your phone usage to prevent addiction . Our brains get a little rush of dopamine every time we interact with our phones . Why is that a problem ? Because it can distract us from other things that are important but maybe not so immediately rewarding , like connecting with our families , doing our homework , and just thinking about life .
To prevent addiction , make sure you block out time every day -- while you have dinner and do homework -- when your phone is off .
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