Cell Phone Etiquette For Kids

According to recent research, up to 75 percent of middle school students own cell phones. The number of high school kids with cell phones is even higher. Cell phone etiquette for kids is just as important as it is for adults. Here are a few simple guidelines that children with cell phones should always follow:

1. It’s not ok to let a cell phone ring during class, in the library or during school concerts.
2. Driving while talking on a cell phone isn’t safe and diverts attention from where it should be – paying attention to the road.
3. Use a calling plan with the minimal minutes necessary and limit the cell phone use to brief chats rather than long conversations. Estimate the total number of minutes of talk time and choose a calling plan accordingly.
4. Minutes not included in your cell phone plan incur overage charges, which are costly. If your parents foot your cell phone bill, don’t rack up overage time unless you’re prepared to pay for the extra minutes you talked above and beyond your plan.
5. When using a cell phone, respect the earshot of other students. Maintain your distance by talking several feet away from others.
6. Keep ringtone downloads off at all times during school. It’s fine to add ringtone downloads for cell phone use, but the vibrate or silent mode is best during school hours. During class times maintain cell phone etiquette by turning cell phones off.