Article
Do the Right Thing!
Would you know what you can do in tricky cell phone or gaming situation? Read a the situations below and find out.
If you lost your cell phone, would you lose the only copy of whatever is stored on it? Back it up!
How? You can do that one of three ways, depending on your phone and computer:
1. You can back it up onto a card you insert in your cell phone. It might be a larger card, with an obvious card slot, or one of the new micro cards hidden inside the phone.
2. You can back it up on your computer, connecting by Bluetooth or cable.
3. Or you can backup onto an online backup service.
If someone picked up your phone when you weren’t looking, could they open your files, use it to make a call or text someone or reprogram your contact list? Better check!
How? Use a security or passcode to lock your phone when you aren’t using it. Make sure you change the passcode that came with the phone (usually the last four numbers of your cell number) so others can’t guess it. Have the phone automatically lock after a minute or so when it is not in use. If possible, add a special password for the things that are very private. And never keep anything on your cell phone you couldn’t afford to lose or have someone else see. If you’re not sure how to do this, read the instructions on the cell phone manufacturer’s site (like the LG cell phone site) or your phone service provider’s site (like the Verizon Wireless site).
If you are in an accident and need emergency assistance, what happens? Be prepared!
How? Program your “ICE” into your cell phone. Paramedics and emergency room staff are now trained to look on your cell phone for your “In Case of Emergency” contact number. It might be your mom or dad or your doctor. But they can reach out before you can help them and get the info they need to treat you and make sure others know where you are. Done? Great! Now get your friends to program their ICE number into their cell phones.
You’re babysitting for some kids who are playing video games. Are the games appropriate for their age? You can check!
How? The ESRB ratings are designed to inform parents about the kind of content contained in a computer game and the most appropriate ages for that content. Check the games your little siblings play, or those the kids you babysit for or your younger cousins own. Are they appropriate for their age? You may want to have a chat with your or their parents, explaining the ratings system. Then help them find some fun games that are right for kids of that age.
You use privacy settings on your Facebook and block everyone not on your AIM buddy list. But are you using the safety and privacy features on your game device? Find out!
How? Visit X-Box’s safe gaming site or visit Sony’s Playstation website. Check out the safety information at Nintendo’s website for DS. What do they tell you about safety and privacy? Do they have tools or parental controls? Can you block annoying people or nasty communications? Do they contain a place to report cyberbullying or predatorial communications? How could they make things more clear? You may want to let them know…make some suggestions on how they can share safety information better. Heck. Maybe you’ll have a job offer.
My cell phone provider wants to sell me insurance for my phone in case it is lost or stolen. Do I need it?
How? Investigate! More and more cell phone service providers offer insurance for the phones you buy from them. It can be a good idea, especially when you buy expensive smart phones. If you take your phone with you everywhere, tend to lose things or drop and break things more than others, it might be a bargain. But, if they charge you so much that you could replace it on your own in a year, it may not make sense. Have your parents check and see if your cell phone is already covered under their homeowners’ or renters’ insurance. And, if your parents bought the phone with a credit card, it might be covered there too.