GTPD Talks Dangers of Texting for Children

Gloucester Township Police released the following advisory regarding children's use of cell phones for texting and more:

Do you know who your children are texting? What messages are they receiving? The Gloucester Township Police Department wants you and your children to be safe when using a cell phone for texting. Please review the following tips:

• Send appropriate text, email, or picture messages only.
• Do not give out your address or other personal information on a phone call, text, or email to people you don’t know, or if others can hear you.
• Do not respond to an email, text, picture, or voice message from someone you don’t know.
• Tell an adult you trust if you receive anything on your phone—a call, a text message, an email, a picture, or voicemail message—that makes you uncomfortable.
• Be aware of your surroundings and understand when talking or texting is appropriate and when it is not. The more advanced cellular devices become, the more functions they have available. Sending pictures over the internet is something that children do all the time. Photo-messaging on cell phones is no different. Children need to be aware why all pictures are not appropriate to send. They also need to know that if they receive a message or image that makes them uncomfortable, they should immediately tell you or another trusted adult.

Additional tips for your child:

• Program family phone numbers into your phone for easy access.
• If there is an emergency, don’t wait—call 911 (or your local emergency number).
• Remember that photos you send stay online forever and can be sent to anyone.
• Follow the rules about cell phone use. Cell phones shouldn’t be used in some places.

For additional information, click here.