As the parent of a pre-teen, this is the time of year when I am reminded that my daughter is very tech savvy and I NEED to keep an eye on her and her online behaviours. It happens every year, she goes back to school and is suddenly downloading new apps, games and visiting new sites at the recommendation of her friends. They all seem to have made new discoveries over the summer and it’s a race to master them once they’re back in school hearing all about these new gems.
I really admire the aptitude these kids have for being in the know with the advances in technology but it’s our responsiblitiy as parents to keep our fingers on the pulse of what’s happening. This is a HUGE job, seriously I don’t want to sit for HOURS nightly checking the kids phones, researching and being the internet guard….thankfully there ARE many companies who help us parents to make it easier.
TELUS WISE: Ten Tips for Back-To-School Online Safety
As a Telus customer for over 18 years, I rely on them for great phone service AND their advance knowledge in all things online. Here are their ten tips for Back to School online safety:
- Review the permissions before giving permission. Apps and social sites often ask for access to personal information that could put you at risk. Set rules around what info you and your kids will share and with whom.
- Keep it private. It is vital to constantly check and adjust privacy settings within apps and social sites to keep up with ever-changing defaults. Looks for app settings that share information publicly and change it to close friends only.
- Set-up a 24/7 watchdog for your name. Create a Google alert for yourself and each of your family members to track how your names are being used online and where you’re being mentioned. Find out more on our TELUS WISE site.
- Less is more. Limit the amount of potentially sensitive information posted online to lower chances of theft or abuse – think twice before posting last names, age, school names, vacation location or other personal info.
- Keep connections personal. A good rule of thumb is to only connect and share with people that you know in real life. “Friending” people online whom you’ve never met increases your risk of exploitation
- Think before you click. Always read the full path of the URL link you are about to click to make sure it’s going to take you where you want to go.
- Don’t be found. Turn off geo-tagging on smartphones and tablets to keep from being tracked. When this feature is enabled, your exact location can be exposed even if you’re just posting a photo. Ensure that apps that rely on location (e.g. Google Maps) are the only ones that have location enabled.
- Lock it down. Set passwords that are at least six characters long. Use at least one symbol, number and uppercase letter; for extra security use different passwords for each website or account you use.
- Don’t log in and leave it. Always be sure to log out of social accounts and apps when you aren’t using them. Disable or deactivate accounts and apps you no longer use
- Keep your digital household clean. Set a recurring 3-month calendar appointment to check your online profiles, confirm privacy and permission settings on the social media sites you subscribe to and review any apps that you’ve downloaded.
These tips are fantastic, be sure to share them with your kids because knowledge is POWER!
For more tips to keep you and your family safe online, or to get set up with free online safety education, visit the TELUS.com/WISE or visit a local TELUS store.
WIN a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini from Telus
To celebrate the Back to School season, my friends at Telus have kindly provided one Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini for a giveaway!
This giveaway is open to residents of Canada, 18+ all entries are verified.
Entry is simple, just fill in the form below. All entries will be verified, this contest ends on October 16th, 2014. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.
Good luck!
my niece, she is in junior high and needs a phone
I would love to win,,don,t have much money,,don,t have cell now,,I would be so happy if win!!!
My sister, she is in university and really needs a phone. Thanks for great contest :)
It would definitely be for me as my phone is almost an antique!
These are some great tips! Thanks!
my niece
My sister…she just started university and still no phone. would love to win. Thanks for the great contest :)
my Son
This phone would be for me as mine doesn’t seem to want to hold a charge anymore. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!
Me! :)
It would be for me :) Mama needs a phone..
I’d give it to my niece who just turned 15. I’d love for her to have a great phone, and learn online safety tips!
Meee! I have a 4yr old Samsung Galaxy W…lowest on the samsung pole lol!
This phone would be for me! I would give my old one to my daughter though!
It would be for me :D
It would be for Me ..my phone is old and start to act up :(
It would be for me! My daughter’s not old enough to have one, and my husband is constantly getting new phones (for our home business) so it’s been a while since I’ve had a new one.
My hubby! He still has a blackberry and it’s constantly on the fritz!
For me!! Everyone has a better phone then me lol. I totally want this. Thank you.
for my partner because he is still waiting from his phone from rogers and it is back dated for three months now,thanks
It would be for me.. Using an old iphone that won’t update anymore so this would be awesome!
Me since mine has been acting up for the past month or so.
My hubby needs a new phone this would be great for him , thanks for the chance :)
Me -my phone is so old my kids are embarrassed when I use it!
This phone would be for my pre-teen son. Yikes! Not sure this momma is ready for this step but the time is here
I think for the first time ever, I would keep this for me. My phone keeps cutting out & hanging up on calls, my battery is draining really fast all the time even with things shut off. It would be great to have a phone I can actually rely on.
My husband, would feel better if he had one when he is off on his excursions
It would be for moi!
I would keep it for myself as Ido not own a phone! :-)
The phone would be for me. My phone is around 5 or 6 years old I think and the battery is pretty much useless, it dies so fast!
This phone would be for me!! I’d love to upgrade from my current phone.
I am in need of a new phone I still have the flip phone yes I know I know I need to get a new phone so thank you for the chance liked and shared
For myself. I must have the oldest phone around
My mum
This phone would be for me I currently just use my husband’s phone so it would be nice to have my own.
my daughter her phone is starting to not be so smart. lol
It would be for ME! Don’t have one still living in the dinosaur era!
MY DAUGHTER
This phone would be for me!
it would be for me, and I would give mine to my husband (his is a dinosaur one)
This would be for my husband. He starts a new job soon and really needs a reliable phone for it!
my sister
This phone would be for me!!
Of course my lovely wife time for a new product and this would be fab. thanks for the chance. Cheers.
this phone would be for my daugher,,Thanks
For me to replace my smashed nexus4.
my niece!
My Mom! :)
Myself….my phone currently randomly freezes and restart
Myself, my current phone is getting older, not functionally as well as it use to. Time to upgrade!
This is a really great giveaway!
Sorry forgot to comment to the question LOL I don’t own a cell phone so it would be for me!
this phone would be for me :)
My daughter in high school.
This phone would be for me because hubby wouldn’t even have a clue how to turn it on and my girls have their i-phones, me I’m an android girl!!
it would be for my son as he cracked his screen
I would love this for my 11 year who is in grade 6 … thanks Julie :)
I DONT HAVE A PHONE SO FOR ME
It would be for my son; his first cell phone. He is in high school now, and I would feel more comfortable knowing where he is when I am at work….Safety first
ME!!! I have been wanting to make the switch from iPhone for so long and Samsung has my eye!
It would be for me. I love all my electronics.
It would be for my teenage daughter
I’d probably give it to one of my parents
My mother..
I am entering your giveaway.
It would be great to win a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini from Telus.
In response to your question of Who would this phone be for?
If i won i would give this phone to my nephew.
Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For me, lol Momma needs a new phone contract is up Oct 1 and phone is pretty much ready to be buried..Would love this phone.
It would be for my husband as he has been in need of a new phone for a very long time now :)
This phone would be for my hubby because his old phone is broken
Simple, me
This phone would be for me. The battery life on my current phone is horrible!
If I were to win this phone would be for me since mine is ready to be replaced
It would be for me :)
For my myself :)
This phone would be a gift for my mom…she still has an old flip phone and lacks a camera.
For me actually, I’m the only one in the family without a cellphone. Just me and my groundline.
This phone would be for my daughter, she is getting old enough to be responsible with a phone
this would be for me as I’m about the only one in the circle that doesn’t have a phone like this. I have a flip phone with
a pay-as-you-go card. This would be awesome so I could be in the circle.
It would be for my husband
it would be for me, mine well its battery is dying and it only has 2 gb of ram even though I have an 8 gig card in it , you can’t get many apps on it.
The phone would be for my daughter :)
I would keep this phone for myself as my phone is slowly dying!
It will be for myself!
my daughter
This phone would be for Me! lol My kids always have the latest gadgets;this Momma has a very old Blackberry which has served me well; but is way past retirement age!!! (wish I was;lol) Great tips;btw-didn’t realise I could use Google to set up alerts:)
Myself or one of the kids
This would be for my daughter.
it would be for me!
This would be for my daughter
This phone would be for my daughter – an early Christmas gift.
my hubby, who hasn’t adapted to a smartphone yet
This phone would be for myself, I am having a horrible time with mine!
Me, myself and I. Thanks for hosting. I could really use a new phone and I currently have a Samsung Galaxy 3.
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
iWould keep it as my current cell is broken :(
For me of course :)
It would be for my niece who is just about to start to go home after school on her own for the first time. A big transition and a new cell phone to go with this transition and new responsibility
For me. My dinosaur is on its last days and won’t even keep a charge :( Thanks for the chance
It would be for me!
I’d give it to my Mom!
To be honest, it would be for me!
It would definitely be for my husband as he just broke his phone!
It would be for me! :)
I would use it for myself
For me! :)
I’d give it to my oldest son.
For me. I have an oldie Goldie!
me! me! me!…..is that wrong? :)
This would be for my 17 year old son. It would be his first cell phone :)
i would have to keep this phone for myself
My son could use it
for me
This would be for me. I’m still using my flip phone I got 7 years ago.
It would be for me!
It would be for my hubby for his birthday!
This phone would be for me!
This phone would be for my nephew.
I have an older Samsung, so me.
This phone would be for me. Thanks so much.
I would give this phone to my son.
A relative. As a surprise. ;)
Me – It would replace my BB Curve!
It would be for myself!
me. me is the phone for.
i would give this to my nephew.
For me. Tired of this apple.
For me. I currently have an old hand me down iPhone and need an upgrade to a better phone.
My oldest son could use this so he could stay in touch with us
Myself
myself
Me! My phone is on it’s way out.
My aunt has an old fashioned phone – she can’t afford a new one but deserves one!
It would be for me :)
I would give this phone to my husband, he works in camp and his current phone is out dated and his battery drains really fast in it. I worry when he is in the field working that if there was an emergency his phone will be dead. He will not go get a new one bit if I won one he would have to use it haha
This phone would be for my daughter as she needs a new cell phone.
I would love to win this for my husband he needs a new phone!
This phone would be for my daughter. She’s away and this would be an awesome upgrade for her.
I’ve never had a cell, so this phone would be for me!
maybe me? maybe my 13 year old?
If I won, I would give this phone to my husband
This phone would be for me! I am still using an old flip phone (it’s at least 8 years old, which is ancient in technology years!) that only has text and calling abilities, nothing else, and I would love to upgrade!!!
I would keep it for myself I need a new phone and this looks great
this phone would be for me, I need a new one so it would be ideal to win this one. :-) I have a Samsung at the moment so it should be an easy transition for me.
this would be for me, i haven’t had a new phone is 3 years!
Me
Probably for me, I bought a temporary one 8 months ago and it is really time to upgrade.
I would give to my husband!!
I would keep it for myself
This phone would be for my self!!!
This phone would be for my big brother, who’s birthday is coming up!:)
Me – I’d sick of peeking through my on contract broken screen hand me down
It would be for me, my old one is about shot.
For me! Everything else goes to the kids, I deserve it.
This phone would be for me..I still have my old flip phone with no internet ..ha ha ha I need to
get in the now
It would be for my oldest son.
I would use this phone. My S4 has been acting up!
Entry 872 is missing my pinterest url. I hit it too soon.
It’s http://www.pinterest.com/darhassi. Thanks!!
My boyfriend needs this something fierce. The kids are bugging him to get another phone so they can text him and call. Right now they can’t
This phone would be for my little sister for her 15th birthday coming up! :)
This phone would be for my step daughter (19) who will be having her first baby any day now! She needs a good reliable phone to keep in contact with us and sending us all those beautiful pictures of our first grandbaby!
I would love to win this for my husband for a birthday present. His phone has been broken for a while
this would be for my mom!
for me :)
It would be for me me me!! Since I do not own a cell phone ..boo :(
I would phone my best friend.
Me! Since my phone is slowing dying on me
for meee
This would be for my daughter who is going to University of Texas.
It would be for my, I don’t have on
my mom needs a new phone!
I think it would have to be for me this time.
Me. My phone has a crack in the glass
moi
I am in need of a new phone so it would be for me.
Commented – https://www.soberjulie.com/2014/09/blondie-brownies-hidden-veggies-kids-will-love-school-snack/#comment-80924.
it would definitely be for my well-deserving daughter (:
ME :)
Me. I dropped my phone a couple of weeks ago and cracked the screen :(
no phone i need one
It would be for my foster daughter!
Myself!
It would be for me since I don’t have any kind of cell phone, and haven’t for about 6 years! Yikes! But, this would help with feeling able to leave the house without worrying about getting a phone call from the school.
I’d give it to my husband.
It would be for me! My current phone is on the blitz! Need a new one pronto!
It would be for my fiance. Her old phone cracked and she’s too lazy to get a new phone!
if i won this phone, you couldn’t pry it from my hands lol!
It would probably be for me as I do not have a phone.
The phone would be for me!!!
This would be great for my daughter!
I do not have a cell phone. I would definitely keep it and set up a plan for myself.
It would be for me. I still haven’t joined the tech-age phone-wise. It’s time…
The phone would be for me as mine is old and in need of another one but the money needs to go to other necessitites
This phone will be for my mom, her cell phone is ancient.
I have an ancient Blackberry that is on its way out so this would be for Moi. :)
This phone will be for me. My old iphone 3 is just too old.
My mom could use an up to date phone, so I would give it to her:)
I’d keep it!
I am going to give it to my dad.
Me!
This phone would be for me. :)
This phone would be for me. I have a Samsung note 2 but the screen broke, I tried to fix it myself, but I kinda suck at the whole technology thing.
For myself:)
It would be for me :)
My mom
For me. I need a new one!
It would be for me.
My phone is really old. it dosent even have a sim card lol one of those old LG flip phones. This would be the perfect phone for me so I would keep it as my teenagers all have their own nice phones already
I don’t have a phone so I would keep it.
my grandson
This phone would be for my husband
thanks
i would use this phone myself
this phone would be for me! :)
This would be for my boyfriend, he has an old flip phone with a shattered screen but will not get rid of it!
I commented on this post
https://www.soberjulie.com/2014/09/ultimate-potato-soup-recipe/#comment-81929
This phone would be for me because mine has a cracked screen and I love Samsungs!
My hubby! He’s got an Iphone 4S and needs an upgrade!
Myself im do for a new one!!!
This phone would replace my old Samsung which is dying.
It would be a present for my daughter, she has been asking for a phone for years, she would love this!
This phone would be for me since I still don’t own a proper smartphone.
For me! :) It’s been long over due upgrading my phone.
I would keep it for myself
This phone would likely be for my sister, who can desperately use an upgrade to her ancient not-so-smart phone!
My elderly mom, she has an old small phone that she can barely figure out. She needs a phone that is easy to see and use.
This phone would be for my son to replace an aging Galaxy Samsung Ace II
If I was lucky enough to win… I would give it to my daughter.
She’s been selling her things for weeks on kijiji & Facebook buy & sell groups. She’s been very responsible & saving every penny.
This would be a fantastic surprise. I already know she would value & appreciate a new phone. I wish I had the extra cash to buy her one. Thanks for the chance to win, Julie!!
This would be for me! My phone is screwing up!
This phone would be all for me!
Me! Someone in my family will love my existing one. :-)
would be for me,to replace mine
This phone would be for me!
This would be a phone for myself
My phone should be replaced. It’s very old & doesn’t hold a charge.
This would be for me! I need a new phone!!
I would keep this for myself, could use a new phone upgrade.
It would be for me.
This would be a gift to my BF!
This phone would be for me and I would give the one that I have now to my son
For me.
A special little gent, my son Evan, turns 11 on Dec 20th. As it stands Mom/Dad have LG Android phones….and “All my friends have phones, Mom”….*yikes* was ready for this – time to loosen the apron strings….this is going to be hard…So having said that I would wrap this present up for my son Evan ….Another great giveaway/for the chances tyvm.
Eva Mitton-Urban
this would be for me
My daughter
my wife
It would be for me, I really need a new one!
for myself .. my phone’s power button just died :(
probably my son… or myself : – )
The phone would be for me,since I have never owned one
This would be for my son, so I am able to talk to him when ever I want.
My mom! She still has a flip phone! =D
the phone would be for my step son
It would be for my hubby if I won, he has an ancient phone!
this phone would be for my brother who is using an out dated phone
I would love to gift this to my mom.
I could use this phone myself. Mine is terribly outdated, a flip phone!
It’ll be for me!
For myself of course!!
This phone would be for me … I always am 2 light years behind in my cell phone .. maybe this time I can be up to date and current !
For me, mine is so old I can’t do anything except phone,text and take single pictures
It would be for me, naturally!
It would be used for my son for a CGM to transmit his blood sugar readings online so we can monitor them from home.
It would be for my wife as she doesn’t like the 1 she has, no options for blogging. I could use it for myself as well seeing as I don’t own a cell.
It’s for me, I don’t have a cellphone.
It would probably go to my husband…although my teens would all be fighting over it, LOL!
I would keep this phone for myself.
my osn as he cracked his
The phone would be for me. all mine.
This phone would be for my dear sweet sister who deserves it !
Me , I would love to have a cell phone ! :D
The phone would be for my son in middle school.
If I won this, I’d give it to my sister.
My Hubby, he desperatly needs a new phone!
This phone would be for me, very briefly, and then my 10 year old will take over! :-)
love to own it
I would give it to my father. Who needs a good phone that is easy to use.
This would go to my college student daughter. :) Thanks!
For my daughter
I’d like to think this phone would be mine, but who am I kidding? This would totally go to my husband. Ass.
It would be a beautiful gift for me, myself & I… time to take care of #1. Thanks for the opportunity Julie!
My daughter.
for my daughter so she will stop taking my phone!
I will use this phone.
It would be for me
This would be for me!! :)
This would be for me.
It would be for me. My hubby hates smart phones, my daughter is an iPhone girl..and I need a new android and I hear great things about the galaxy
It would be for me because I’m long overdue for an upgrade.
Probably would use this phone for my daughter… or possibly my husband… hmmm. Thanks for the giveaway!
For my son.
For my daughter
This phone would be for me, me, me. Thanks for the giveaway!
This phone would be for my mother and it would be her very first phone!
It would totally be for me. All the kids and the hubby have phones I’ve heard such great things about the Galaxy s4 and have been with telus for ever! Thanks for the chance!
This phone would be for me! My Samsung is getting old & slow.
This phone would totally be for me. My phone is dying. It randomly shuts off, gets stuck turning itself off and on and freezes all the time. I can’t afford a new one and my update isn’t available until the spring.
The phone would be for my son.
This phone would be for me, mine is 5 years old
I commented on https://www.soberjulie.com/2014/09/ultimate-potato-soup-recipe/#comments
I’d have to be a wee bit selfish & keep for myself, if I won. I love everything about the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini. Thanks for the chance!
Me! I have never had a “smart phone” just an old pay as you go , classic flip phone that barely can text out! Time for me to get with the program!
I would probably use the phone. I’ve had the same phone for 5+ years :P
Well, I have an older phone than anyone I know, so I would have no choice but to keep it and have other guide me through the learning process.
The phone would be for me – my phone is old need a new 1 as I have trouble using mine now. Can’t afford a new one right now but so so need 1. Thanks for the chance
It would be for my son…he recently dropped his and cracked the screen.
give it to my husband so he can keep in touch
to my husband
for me!!!!! :-)
It would be for me. My phone is 2 years old and is constantly freezing and crashing :-(
This phone would be a Christmas gift for my daughter.
This girl right here! Mama needs a new phone! :)
It would be for me :)
We would give it to our son. Turned 13 this year and we are considering getting him a phone.
I would love this for myself!
myself.
As people laugh at my old slide phone, I would have to keep this Samsung, and learn how to use it, no doubt! :))))
for me.
The phone would be for my fiancé. He’s currently with telus and his samsung he has currently is dying. This would be an awesome surprise!
My mom because she doesn’t even realize how desperately she needs a phone.
I would love the phone for me, right now I have a pay as you go. I wasn’t sure if I would need one. But after having this one for almost a year I can’t live without it!
This phone would be for my mom
for my husband
it would be for my husband
For my husband :)
This phone would be for me – thank you!
Would make for a great Christmas gift to mom! Cheers :)
Thisbwould be great for my husband or sister! Both could use the upgrade in phones!
ME!!!
This phone would totally be for me!
I would use this phone myself. I have been wanting to try an Android phone for some time. Having been an iPhone user for the past 5 years, I want to compare the Android as far as features and usability.
For myself, I need to upgrade my phone
This phone would be for my husband. He’s had the same phone for 4 years and he uses it for work so it’s seen better days!
myself, would like something other then my bb
For my BF who needs to be updated with a cool new smartphone badly!
For me. I have a 5 year old phone !
I’d give this phone to my cousin who just entered highschool. It’s important for kids to be able to call home/911 in the event of an emergency.
It would be for my hubby Cory! He hasn’t had a phone in two years, he is one hard man to get ahold of! I’d love to give him this awesome phone!
This would be for me if I won.
This would be for my soon to be 15 year old! His birthday is coming up next month and he has been begging for one!
My mom! Since my cousin moved here from Brazil and needed a cellphone to get around my mom hasn’t had one. All she has is her Ipad and it’s super hard to get a hold of her when I have an Android phone. She would definitely benefit from this phone a lot!
oh this would be for me …i have been wanting one
I would win this for my sister
I will give it to my sister :)
for my son
For my mother! She has an ancient phone, it’s probably from the late 1990s and needs a serious upgrade
for my sister. thanks
the phone would be for me i have the worst phone in this family
This phone would be for me…mamma needs a new phone! :)
My hubby. Then Maybe he could join this century!! Lol
The phone would be for me -mine is starting to get glitchy and a new one would be a lot less aggravating!
For me as I do not have one.
i would use this phone myself
The phone would be for me because my husband has one, but I don’t