U.S. Cellular asks, Are your kids Internet savvy?
June 10, 2016
The Internet can be intimidating with headlines about hackers, cyberbullying and phishing scams. June is National Internet Safety Month, giving parents the opportunity to talk to their kids about these issues and the importance of safe internet use. According to a 2015 Pew Research Center study, 92 percent of teens report going online daily, with 24 percent noting they go online almost constantly.

While devices such as the iPhone 6s and iPad Pro help families feel secure and stay connected, users of these high-tech devices need to know how to avoid compromising their personal safety online, and parents can play a key role in guiding mobile usage.

According to a recent U.S. Cellular survey [from a total of 735 online interviews conducted among a nationally representative sample by Consumer Insights, in partnership with Maritz CX] , the average age a child is getting their first phone is 13, with safety cited as the main reason. Seventy percent of respondents note that they always or frequently monitor their childs cell phone use, while almost three quarters have rules about their childs cell phone usage.

The latest mobile devices operating on a high-quality 4G LTE network with nationwide coverage can keep families better connected to each other and the Internet more than ever, stated Dorsey Ragland, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Missouri.

At U.S. Cellular, we encourage parents to take the time to have open discussions about what works best for their family, and we want to be a resource as parents make decisions on their childs first cellphone and the related Internet use.

U.S. Cellular shares five easy tips for parents to facilitate discussion about Internet use on mobile devices and to raise digitally responsible children:

While these steps can help promote online safety today, the Internet is constantly evolving, as is the technology surrounding it, and teens also are ever changing how they consume information and interact in this digital age. To help parents stay informed and well positioned to help their teens become responsible digital citizens, local schools, police departments and other community groups offer seminars on internet safety. U.S. Cellular also offers device workshops for the entire community, including those who are not U.S. Cellular customers, providing a great opportunity to learn more about the many features of todays smart devices and how teens may be using them to connect and engage online.

To learn more, join the U.S. Cellular team on June 25, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. at 1630 S. Range Line Rd., Joplin.

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