Cell phones are not just for making calls anymore ? a bigger issue is at hand.
According to Clarkston School Liaison Officer, Detective Darren Ofiara, Oakland County Sheriff Office, parents who purchase cell phones for their children need to have knowledge of every feature that comes with the contract.
Recently, a Clarkston parent learned about this the hard way. (Because of the sensitive nature of this topic, The Clarkston News is withholding the student and mother’s name.)
The mother of a Clarkston High School freshman noticed one month that her cell phone bill came in a lot higher than usual. Why, she wondered. According to the mother, she was surprised to learn the answer ? the downloading of pornographic material.
A concern is definitely in the air ? many parents don’t realize that this is possible with a cell phone. The internet and camera features on cell phones are advanced, and not only is downloading an issue, but inappropriate pictures as well.
‘As for the downloading of pornographic material from a legitimate web site, I am unsure on its frequency, said Ofiara. ‘I would hazard a guess and say often, but I have not been advised of any similar occurrences prior to this incident.
I am finding the camera phones are being used to take indecent pictures of others (private pictures) showing up more often.?
Cellular phones are allowed in Clarkston High School as long as they are not being used, seen or heard during school hours. Before and after school hours they are allowed. If the school finds someone in violation of the policy, the phone is often taken by school staff until after the school day to be picked up by student or family. If the problem is repeated, they are allowed to enforce the suspension policy or make a parent retrieve the phone.
As for downloading ? the phones are usually purchased by adults and often put in their names. The parents may allow or not know the phone has an internet option. According to Ofiara, kids do the rest. Any downloading would then go under the parents? name as phone owners and bill payers.
‘Internet downloading could be seen as a child in possession of a Playboy magazine. Proper? No. But could it be seen as childhood curiosity by a court?? asked Ofiara. ‘I am sure the parents who give the phones have only the best of intentions, but they are giving them a lot of room.?
Many parents pay strict attention to the home internet behavior, but then give them a mobile internet terminal that they pay no attention to.
‘As most kids are, if you give the inch they will take the mile,? said Ofiara.
New downloading options are continually becoming available on cell phones. According to newstarget.com, Playboy is considering to market in cell phone internet to reach the older demographic, and X’rated movies will also become available for easy viewing.
What can be done?
Kids today have access to internet downloads through the push of a button on their cell phones. If parents are worried about this kind of behavior, they can disconnect the internet feature and get a phone without a camera.
Removing this option is simple ? contact your cellular phone provider, either by phone or in person, and request the option be removed.
According to Ofiara, a cell phone in the hands of a teenager should be used for the sole purpose of emergencies.
‘They should pay attention to the phone records and the phone itself. Often it is still their property,? said Ofiara. ‘Pay attention to who their kids are talking to or text messaging. Many parents don’t want to ‘spy? on their kids, but then have the problem that they have no idea that their kids are in trouble until its too late.?