Children and Mobile Devices  

CTIA Position:

Education is key to ensuring children and teens use cell phones in smart, safe, fair and responsible ways. In light of the challenges of protecting children in mobile environments, CTIA-The Wireless Association® continues to respond with effective, innovative solutions that give parents choice and control over the mobile content and services their children are using.

There are many benefits to children using mobile technology, such as mLearning solutions and educational “apps.” Still, some kids might use mobile devices and services in an inappropriate or irresponsible manner. 

In light of the challenges of protecting children in open online and mobile environments, the wireless industry continues to respond with effective, innovative solutions that give parents choice and control over the mobile content and services their children are using more and more. CTIA and participating wireless carriers have also established voluntary industry guidelines and best practices for content classification and Internet access, location-based services, mobile financial services and common short codes to increase consumer protection and security and help customers make informed decisions about mobile content. 

Education is key to ensuring children and teens are smart, safe, fair and responsible wireless users. CTIA and The Wireless Foundation launched the “Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe: Responsible Wireless Use” campaign in March 2010 to help parents, educators and policymakers teach kids about responsible mobile behavior, driving and eco-friendly initiatives. 

Key Points:

• Parent/Legal Guardian involvement is key to ensuring children are responsible wireless users. For parents, keeping pace with the rapid changes in the wireless industry can seem overwhelming and challenging. CTIA developed the “Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe” campaign to help parents locate and utilize the tools and information necessary to ensure children are responsible wireless users. On the website, parents can find a listing of CTIA members and the parental features and filters they offer; a glossary of key terms; a checklist with tips on what to do when your child has a wireless device; and an example of family rules.
• Content management tools are available to meet parent’s needs. As wireless technology gets smarter and faster, so do the tools and services that help parents choose how their children use wireless. The wireless industry offers a variety of service plans at differing prices that can help parents regulate how children use their wireless device, including limits on text and picture messages, Internet access, pre-approved outbound and inbound calls and more. In the open mobile ecosystem, parents can also find content control tools that are built-in to a device or service or downloadable from a manufacturer, service provider or third party.
• Carrier Content Classification Standards Enable Consumers to make Informed Choices. A significant component of the Wireless Carrier Content Guidelines is the voluntary content classification standards for carrier content—those materials that are offered specifically on the carrier’s managed content portal, also known as the carrier’s “deck”, or any third-party content whose charges are included on a carrier’s bill. Carrier Content is divided into two classifications: “Generally Accessible Carrier Content” and “Restricted Carrier Content.” Generally Accessible Carrier Content is available to consumers of all ages. Restricted Carrier Content is accessible only to consumers age 18 years and older or to a consumer less than 18 years of age when specifically authorized by a parent or guardian.
• Policymakers at all levels of government can encourage responsible wireless behavior. CTIA works with policymakers to ensure responsible wireless use education is a core component of federal and state online safety efforts. CTIA supports efforts like the federal Adolescent Web Awareness Requires Education Act (AWARE Act) – H.R. 3630; S.1047 – which promotes online safety education through government grants to educational agencies, nonprofit organizations and schools to carry out Internet crime awareness and cybercrime prevention programs. Policymakers can also take steps to ensure all children are prepared and are participating in the increasingly high-tech and mobile future by: (1) encouraging schools to review and update existing technology policies to integrate mobile technologies and educational applications; (2) supporting educators who use mobile devices as an additional platform for communicating with their students by allowing them to use educational funds for distributing assignments and other content directly to mobile devices; incorporating mobile “voting” and response activities in the classroom; and developing audio recordings, videocasts, podcasts or similar tools to assist homebound and ill students; (3) work with librarians and teachers to utilize handheld devices and digital downloads to expanding the reach of school libraries; and (4) modifying the E-Rate, Lifeline, Link-Up and state-based universal service programs can help maximize opportunities for wireless broadband and mobile applications that otherwise fit within the scope of these programs.

Last Updated: September 2010