My BFF Jill NBD - An Intro to Texting for Adults
One of my favorite commercials is the cellular commercial between mom and daughter over the cost of text-messaging. Daughter talks in text language and mom is frustrated just trying to understand! In case you wonder what the title come from - it's what the daughter says in response to mom asking "who are you texting 50 times a day?" The code is translated My Best Friend Forever Jill - No Big Deal.
Needless to say for one raised with a pen and paper, text language is as new to me as to many parents. While it's cute and all that - it's important for parents today to understand what their child is writing online or by cell.
Online Text Messaging
Text messaging is faster than email, easier and cheaper than phone calls to ask a simple question or such. Whether your child uses online IMs (Instant Message Services) like ICQ, Microsoft Messenger, AOL or they use their cell phone text messaging their writing probably looks like this BRB, CIA, TTYL, LOL, TIA, ROTFL, IMHO...
Online text messaging is a free download software that installs a simple 2 way chat interface. Be aware that the programs, if NOT CONFIGURED PROPERLY, can expose your child's personal information to anyone who uses these programs. Take the needed time to learn how to set up these messaging programs before your child goes online.
Block anyone NOT on their friend's list. Do not publish personal information, use a picture of a hobby or pet like the familly cat or a baseball instead of their actual picture. BTW These are called "avatars" and are little pictures that get attached to their profile.
The problem with Online text messaging is the security issue which I gave some tips to ensure your child's safety. The cellular text messaging, on the other hand is a cost issue...
Cellular Text Messaging
Cellular text messaging is not free. Individuals text messages can cost up to
10 cents per message. Let's see: 50/day times 7 is $35 a day! OUCH!
You do have control over text messaging. If you want to let your child use this feature, your best bet is to purchase text message packages for around $3 a month extra. (With Lucky Wireless, it goes down to 1.5 cents a minute!)Otherwise you could have it disabled, but be ready for your child to rebel!
Google "text messaging" and see some of the acronyms that kids use in writing. They really are pretty clever :) Here are the ones I used in this article:
- BRB - Be Right Back
- CIA - See You Later
- TIA - Thanks in Advance
- ROTFL - Rolling on the Floor LaughingIMHO - In my Humble Opinion
- BTW - By the Way
- LOL - Laughing out Loud
Adjust Existing Devices
Finally existing cellular devices can be adjusted to disable certain features that you don't want your employees to use on company time. For instance, the camera - disable or purchase phone without cameras. Expandable memory is another good example which can be disabled fairly easily. Email servers can be changed, blocked ...To put it another way, if you don't want your employees to use it, it is up to you to make sure they don't.
These are just five of the many ideas companies have found to reduce company celllar costs and take back control You can do it too!