My mobile
Mobile phones are great for keeping in touch—you can call or text your family and friends, surf the net, take and send photos, record sound and track where you are.
While you can do all sorts of things with your mobile, there are some risks and points you should keep in mind.
Cyberbullying, people making inappropriate contact, access to unsuitable content or ‘free’ ring tones that lead to very high phone bills can be a problem. Privacy is also important. In the same way you protect your privacy online it’s important not to share private/ personal details or photos using your mobile phone. It’s easy to forward SMS messages and photos but you never know where they might end up.
Tips
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Only give out your mobile number to people you know and trust. Respect your friends’ privacy by not giving away their details without permission.
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Keep your personal information private. Don’t share personal details like your name, address or school with people you don’t already know in real life.
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If you plan to send private information to anyone using your mobile phone, talk to a trusted adult before you send. Being cautious is the best plan.
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Think before you send. The person who you send information, pictures or videos to may not be the only one who will see them—so if you don’t want them to go public, don’t send them.
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When you’re looking to buy a phone, check details of service plans or contracts, the type of phone and what it offers. Buy the one that suits your needs and use—and won’t cost the earth.
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Don’t accept offers that sound too good to be true. They probably are, and it could lead to really high bills. Check with your parents before accepting any offers.
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If your phone is lost or is stolen,
notify your network carrier and the police immediately. Tell them your IMEI number (generally found inside the battery compartment of your phone or by pressing *#06#) and any other identifying features of the phone. Your carrier can use this number to block your phone from all networks in Australia once you report the phone lost or stolen, making it useless to any thief. Importantly, this also ensures you’re not paying for any calls made by the thief. Visit
www.amta.org.au for more information.
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If you use Bluetooth, change the settings so that the phone is not ‘discoverable’. This means that it can’t be found or discovered by other Bluetooth-enabled devices searching for another one. Keeping your phone undiscoverable is a good protection against potential attack.
Tips for dealing with unwanted SMS and voice messages
- Don't respond.
- Save the message and the date, time and number of the can.
- Let a trusted adult know, like your parents or brother/sister.