Safe Use Agreement:

Protecting Your Family on a Continuing Basis

This model safe use agreement between parents and children provides guidelines for discussion and a basis for developing specific understanding and agreement.

Because we agree my cell phone is a privilege I have earned, I will agree to the terms of its future use. I realize a cell phone has extensive capabilities for communication and even education. I also recognize it brings risks. You, as my parent(s), have trusted me with this device and I understand I need to use it responsibly so its use brings no harm to me, any member of our family or any of my friends.

I agree to the following principles in the use of my cell phone and other wireless technology (i.e., laptop, iPod, PlayStation, Wii, etc):

1.       I will not share any personal information, including my date of birth, address, phone number or specifics about what school or church I attend. I recognize that sharing such information could lead to harm if it gets in the hands of someone who intends to hurt me. I fully recognize the threat this is to my safety.

2.       In all my communication through the cell phone, I will be respectful of others and will never threaten or bully anyone. My communication will always be truthful, encouraging and helpful.

3.       I will never use vulgar or sexually explicit language, and if someone begins using such language with me, I will immediately hang up and refuse further communication.

4.       I recognize there is no such thing as real privacy when using my cell phone, especially when connected to the Internet. I understand any content I post about myself or anyone else on the Internet can be distributed across the world without my knowledge or permission. Even if I intend such communication to be private, I have no guarantee that will be the case.

5.       I understand that while I am communicating with persons whom I don’t know, they are able to deceive me and may not be truthful about who they are and their intentions. I recognize it is impossible for me to really know that anyone I’m communicating with over the Internet is really who he/she says they are.

6.       I will not post information on any of the social networking websites such as MySpace, YouTube, Facebook or Zanga without first discussing it with you and getting your permission. I recognize that information shared on these websites is available to millions of people whom I do not know, some of whom intend to do great harm to children and youth. I realize there is a risk.

7.       In the use of my cell phone, I will be completely open with you in terms of how I am using it, what I am communicating and what others are communicating to me.

8.       I have earned your trust by obeying you as my parent(s) and I have every intention of continuing to do so.  I willingly enter into this covenant agreement to be held accountable to you.  By faithfully following these principles, we have agreed I will continue to enjoy the privilege of using my cell phone and/or other wireless devices.

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Parent(s) Signature(s)                               Young Person Signature

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