Background

Cell phone ownership among children under the age of 12 is increasing rapidly, and today’s cell phones have capabilities that go beyond just calling and texting to include taking and sharing photos as well as playing games and surfing the web. Without learning key lessons about safe and smart cell phone use, a cell phone can become a distraction, a social impediment and even a danger. This campaign teaches young people where and when to use a cell phone, and what conversations should happen in person, as opposed to via phone call or text message.

The Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) partnered with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), which is home to leading researchers in the area of child internet and cell phone use, the Center for Media and Child Health at Children’s Hospital (CMCH) at Boston, and Woogi World, a virtual school for K-6 students to develop an educational program which offers professional development for teachers, resources for parents, and educational games for students focused on six principles of cell phone use:

1. Identity/Reputation Presentation and Monitoring
2. Relationship Management—Online and Offline
3. Multitasking
4. Domains of Use
5. Responsibilities to Self, Family, and the Law
6. Maximize the positives

The Cell Phone Smart campaign includes the following awareness elements:

• Radio PSAs
• Movie Theatre Ad
• Digital Ads (web banners)
• Posters
• Brochures

This Cell Phone Smart campaign has been directed and developed by INOBTR (“I Know Better”), a non-profit organization that educates about child safety through public awarenessin an effort to keep kids safe. It has been funded through a cooperative agreement from the U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

Resources

Internet Keep Safe Coalition
Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) is an international alliance focused on teaching youth about using new media devices and platforms in safe and healthy ways. The Coalition provides innovative resources, including parent tutorials and educational materials like Faux Paw the Techno Cat® Internet safety book series and animated films for children. iKeepSafe uses its unique partnerships to disseminate the safety resources to families worldwide, including its Generation Safe™ program.

Woogi World
Woogi World is the world’s leading virtual educational community for K-6 students utilizing the latest gaming and social networking technologies to teach children. It is a scalable online virtual educational platform that fosters peer-based, social interactive learning for today’s students. With more than one million subscribers, Woogi World motivates its young students to learn in ways that will prepare them for a 21st century global workplace – all at a lower cost than traditional education. Its Woogi Cyber Hero program is universally rated the best cyber safety resource in the United States.

Media Materials

iKeepSafe Fact Sheet

Cell Phone Safety Fact Sheet

Project Youth Safety Fact Sheet

Cell Phone Safety Press Release

News

 RIT Partners to Promote Cell-Phone Safety

Brooks Announces Cell-Phone Safety Campaign

Teen Smartphone Use & Trends

Cell Phone Smart – “Studio 86″ Podcast – an interview with Kelly McMahon (INOBTR) & Professor Sam McQuade (RIT)

Local Partner

Internet Keep Safe Coalition
Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) established in 2005, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit international alliance of more than 100 policy leaders, educators, law enforcement members, technology experts, public health experts and advocates.Through this network of support, iKeepSafe tracks global trends and issues surrounding digitally connected products and their affect on children. This research drives the continuous creation of positive resources for parents, educators and policymakers who teach youth how to use new media devices and platforms in safe and healthy ways.