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In This Section
- Many people communicate using technology and often use more than one form
- Landlines are still very common in people's homes but most people in the UK have a mobile phone
- Other popular methods of communication using technology include email, instant messaging and talking over the internet
- As technology progresses there will be more advanced means of communication using technology
- Non face-to-face communication using a mobile phone and over the internet carries certain risks - if you are chatting to people on the internet or you get a call or text message from a number you do not recognise NEVER give out your real name, your address or your school
Mobile Phones
- Mobile phones are used mainly to talk and text but the newer models are internet-enabled giving the user access to a range of broadcast and entertainment media
- Mobile phones can be used for photography, video, radio and music, games, internet browsing and software applications, video messaging and chat
- Mobile phones carry various risks and so it is important to take care when using them
- It is illegal to use a mobile phone when driving. If you have to use your mobile phone, park your car in a safe position before you use it
- Mobile phones are a common target for thieves - make sure you keep yours safe
Paying for a mobile phone
- Mobile phones and call charges can be expensive so make sure you are sensible with how much you use your phone
- It is usually cheaper to use your phone to call and text during the evenings and weekends ('off-peak' times)
- Some mobile phones are available on a pay-monthly contract and others are on a pay-as-you-talk basis
- Make sure you get the right plan to suit how much and how often you use your phone and what services you use
Contract
- You must be over 18 to have a contract in your name
- A contract is legally binding and so, once you have signed it, you will be billed every month for the length of the contract
- There are many different contract plans available for you to choose from for different phones. Each plan charges differently depending on the length of your phone calls, what time of day you use your phone and which network you are on
- To get the best contract for you, speak to a mobile phone advisor in a shop
Pay as you talk
- This payment method ensures you only pay for what you use and you are not billed every month
- Pay as you talk phones are better to use if you want to control how much you are spending
- To add credit onto your phone, you can use a payment card at many shops or with your pre-registered credit card. Some networks will also allow you to do this at a cash machine
Bullying
- Text messages are a cheap and fun way to communicate, but they can also be misused to insult or abuse people
- If you get any abusive or harassing text messages you can do something about it - don't delete the message and make sure you report it to the police
- If you receive any abusive text messages, don't reply to the sender
- Report it to your mobile phone network too - some networks can help you deal with bullying
- Email (or electronic mail) is a common means of instant internet communication where people can send and receive typed messages
- Many people use email in the same way as they would write a letter but it is a much faster method of communication
- You usually get an email facility with your internet service provider or you can set up your own email account with email providers such as hotmail or yahoo
Phishing
- Phishing is the term used when email is abused to lead people to give out their personal and bank account details
- This is becoming more common - where the email sender pretends to be a from a bank or another company to try and persuade you to reveal information
- If you receive an email from somebody you don't know, don't reply and don't give out any of your personal or financial details
Instant Messaging
- Instant messaging is becoming an increasingly popular method of ' chatting' over the internet and is quicker than email
- It allows you to see who you know is logged on to the internet and send them instant messages
- Instant message users create 'buddy lists' of their friends who they can send messages to
- The 'buddy list' indicates who is online
- To use this facility you will normally need to download a programme onto your computer
Voice calls over the internet
- Talking over the internet is like using a phone - you can make calls to people all over the world but at a much cheaper rate than a telephone call or mobile phone call
- Some companies who offer this service will charge a monthly fee and some will charge by the minute
- To set up this facility on your computer you will need to download a programme and use a headset
