CTIA-The Wireless Association® & The Wireless Foundation Launch “Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe: Responsible Wireless Use” Campaign

Multi-year campaign focused on educating kids, parents, educators and policymakers about responsible mobile use

LAS VEGAS, NV – CTIA-The Wireless Association® and The Wireless Foundation announced today the launch of “Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe: Responsible Wireless Use,” a national education campaign focused on equipping parents and caregivers with the necessary materials and tools so that kids use their wireless devices responsibly. The campaign’s cornerstone is its Web site (http://www.besmartwireless.com/) with its easy-to-understand information on how to be responsible wireless users whether its with their devices and services, for the environment or when they’re driving or a passenger. Throughout the year, we will unveil additional components of the Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe initiative.

While there are many benefits to children using mobile technology such as mLearning or using one of the thousands of educational “apps” focused on language and literacy programs, news and other in-class teaching opportunities, studies show that some kids might behave in an inappropriate and irresponsible manner. 

Together with kids, parents, expert educators, The Wireless Foundation and our members, CTIA has developed the Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe campaign to help parents, educators and policymakers locate and utilize the tools and information necessary to ensure children make the right choices when using their wireless devices and services. CTIA and the wireless industry believe that education leads to smart, safe, fair and responsible behavior. 

On the Web site, parents can find a listing of our members and the parental features and filters they offer; 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. For 6-12th grade educators, we have developed a free lesson plan.  For policymakers, we’ve listed some of the initiatives we support or have developed as well as suggestions on what they can do to help foster the digital future. The Web site also provides information for kids on how to be responsible wireless users in regards to the environment and when they are drivers or passengers.
 
“Today’s children are a technology savvy generation who are adopting digital and mobile technologies at a spectacularly fast rate.  While there are infinite benefits to wireless, we also want to help educate and inform kids, parents, educators and policymakers about responsible behavior in a mobile environment,” said Steve Largent, president and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association and president of The Wireless Foundation. “We believe that the Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe campaign offers great educational resources so that our children behave appropriately when using mobile technology.” 

To date, the wireless industry has taken a number of steps to address wireless safety issues including adopting industry-wide content guidelines and best practices, offering parental control tools and content rating systems and providing educational information for children and parents.  CTIA and The Wireless Foundation have introduced a series of initiatives, such as Get Wise About Wireless, SAFETY Tips and Wireless Online Safety, to encourage responsible and safe mobile use.  The Be Smart. Be Fair. Be Safe campaign represents an extension of these ongoing wireless online safety efforts. 

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CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry’s voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry’s leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, DC.