Mobile phones and video games. Mobile phone dangers Many of the new modern phones can: –send and receive pictures –be used to surf the Internet - it is

Mobile phones and video games

Mobile phone dangers

• Many of the new modern phones can:– send and receive

pictures – be used to surf the

Internet - it is therefore much more difficult for parents to monitor what their children are doing when they go online


• Bluetooth mobile phones and computer devices can pose privacy and safety risks


• Children and young people can have accidents because they're so caught up with using their mobile phone

• Children and young people are at risk of being harassed by strangers who make contact by randomly dialling mobile phone numbers

• Children and young people can run up very high bills and be conned into dialling premium rate numbers

Mobile access to the Internet

• The fact that children can now get on the Net from mobile phones potentially poses huge problems for parents

• The risk of children being exposed to offensive material and being stalked by online predators is heightened by the modern phones

The code of practice for mobile phone operators

• In 2004 the mobile phone operators signed up to a new code of practice that stops children from using unmoderated chat rooms, porn sites and gambling services

• From the end of 2004 they became required to make sure that a person is over 18 before allowing them to buy a phone with unlimited access to the Internet

The code of practice for mobile phone operators

• Other provisions within the code of practice are:– commercial content which is regarded as unsuitable for youngsters will

be classified as 18– 18 classification content must not be made available to anyone until

the network is satisfied that the person is at least 18 years of age– all chat rooms available to people under the age of 18 must be

moderated– parents and carers are able to use filters to restrict content– the operators are to work with the law-enforcement agencies to report

content that may break criminal law– the operators will take measures to combat bulk and nuisance text

messages – the operators will provide advice on the nature of, and the use of,

mobile devices and services

Expensive mobile phone bills

• Mobile phone scams are not uncommon. They take many forms including:– Text messages saying that you have won a

prize of some sort - when you ring the number you are forced to listen to a long message that informs you that, for example, you’ve actually won a holiday voucher with numerous restrictions attached. When you get your bill you’ll often find that the call was to a very expensive premium rate number.

Expensive mobile phone bills

– Joke lines – you ring a number to receive a joke for a small amount of money and then later find that you have signed up to receive a new joke on a regular basis at, say, 50p a time.

– “Call this number urgently” messages asking you to ring a number. You end up listening to a sales pitch of some kind for something you don’t want – at a premium rate call charge.

Bluetooth phones

• Bluetooth is a technology that allows items of equipment such as computers and mobile phones to communicate with each other without the need for wires

• Information is transferred between bluetooth devices using radio frequencies

Bluetooth phones

• For security reasons, every piece of bluetooth equipment has its own unique ID number

• Before information can be transferred wirelessly these PIN numbers need to be typed in

• This authorisation process is called pairing

Bluesnarfing

• Bluesnarfing (sometimes called snarfing) is the term used to describe an attack on a bluetooth device and the taking of data from that device

Bluesnarfing

• A bluesnarfing attack can take place without your knowledge

• The only way you might know is if you happen to notice the bluetooth icon appearing on your phone as the attack is taking place

Bluesnarfing

• If your bluetooth mobile is attacked in this way the attacker could obtain the information you’ve got stored on your phone such as your contacts and appointments - plus even photographs if you have a camera phone

• The person making the bluesnarfing attack can also send text messages, make telephone calls and even alter your call history via your phone without you even being aware

Bluesnarfing

• Bluesnarfing is actually against the law

• Some handset manufacturers have begun to fix the problem for future handsets and have brought out ‘software patches’ for their existing handsets

Bluejacking

• Bluejacking is the term for the act of indiscriminately sending out unsolicited messages to nearby bluetooth phones

• Any phones with bluetooth that are within range can pick up these messages

Bluejacking

• Bluejacking is popular with children and young people

• There is a website dedicated to the subject called bluejackQ

Bluejacking

• Bluejacking can be used in a harmless and fun way but also can be used as a form of nuisance calling and bullying

CyberSafety tips for mobile phones

Children and young people• Be cautious about who you give your

mobile phone number out to• Never respond to text messages that say

you have won a competition or anything similar

• Check the pairings on your mobile phone and other bluetooth devices and remove any unwanted ones


• To make your phone invisible to potential attackers when you’re in public places either switch bluetooth off completely or set it to ‘non-discoverable’ mode

• Don’t ever lend your phone to anyone you do not trust because if they have the knowledge they could set up a pairing between one of their devices and your phone, then delete that setting from your list of trusted devices but still have access to your services


• If you buy a reused handset, it can still have pairing information on it, so what you need to do is to perform what is known as a ‘full factory reset’ – refer to the owner’s manual for your particular phone for guidance on how to do this

Video game dangers

• The content of some video games can be unsuitable for children and young people - themes that are sometimes depicted include:– Graphic violence– Sexual scenes– Advergaming (a form of advertising in games) – Consumption of drugs and alcohol– Propaganda– Bad language

• Video gaming can become addictive

• Only “17% of surveyed children say their parents check the ratings on the video games they buy.”

—The Kaiser Family Foundation

CyberSafety tips for parents

• Check the ratings on every computer and video game box

• Consider your child’s personality, maturity and abilities - video game ratings provide guidance but parents should decide which games are appropriate for their children


• Don’t stop at the ratings:– speak to older children and other

parents– rent before purchasing– read game reviews– try out demos of games online or in

stores where games are sold


• Look closely at the box the game comes in - most video games have screen shots of the game on the back of the box showing typical scenes from the game

• Play video games with your children - playing or observing helps you understand what they get from the game


• Consider the option of using the parental controls feature if you’re worried - newer video game systems allow parents to restrict specific game content by rating

• Be cautious with online-enabled games - many popular games can be played with friends (and strangers) over the Internet. Often, these games contain live chat or other user-generated content that is not rated by the and may not be consistent with the rating assigned to the game


• Be aware of ‘mods’ that can change a game – these area downloadable bits of software that can alter game content and the game’s age-appropriateness

• Some mods can contain viruses or spyware, making them dangerous

Documents

Mobile phones and video games. Mobile phone dangers Many of the new modern phones can: –send and receive pictures –be used to surf the Internet - it is