Raising children in the age of portable computers and ubiquitous internet access has led to an increasingly common problem. Kids of all ages are now glued to the displays of their smartphones, and trying to pry these devices from their little hands is harder than ever. Whether they're playing games, watching videos, or chatting on social media, they just won't relinquish them. What is a concerned mom or dad to do? It is possible to get your kids away from their phones; you just need to get creative about it.

1. Get Away From Cell Service

Modern culture is one that is constantly engulfed in illuminated screens and omnipresent connectivity. It's no wonder kids are addicted to their phones. A great way to disconnect from the matrix is to go some place where there is no cell signal, no Wi-Fi, and barely anywhere to charge any electronics.

Take a family camping trip out to one of the many breathtaking national parks across the country. When the children realize that their phones have effectively been rendered useless, they'll have no choice but to participate in some hiking, fishing and exploring. They might even learn to love it. This so-called green space therapy might even help with ADHD!

2. Start a Family Project

When the kids are actively engaged in something they enjoy, they're not going to be as interested in whipping out their phones. There are two key factors to consider here: purpose and engagement. Start a family project that you can work on together with the kids on a regular and consistent basis. This is some high quality family bonding time!

The actual nature of the project doesn't matter very much as long as it is something the child actually wants to do. It could be raising a vegetable garden, building a treehouse, sewing a patchwork quilt, tracing your family's ancestry, or learning to cook by attempting to replicate grandma's delicious recipes. The hours will melt away, free from any glowing screen.

3. Limit the App Selection

The greatest strength of smartphones and tablets can also prove to be your greatest challenge. These handheld devices offer near infinite possibilities with millions of apps, innumerable videos, and more content than you'll ever be able to consume. They're bottomless pits of entertainment and distraction.

One way to reduce the appeal of the phone is to limit what it can do. Allow the child to pick only one game that he or she can play on the phone for one month. Eventually, he or she will get bored of that game and won't want to play it anymore. A new game can be selected the following month, and the cycle can renew.

Alternatively, divide the selection into "learning" apps and "junk" apps, allowing more time for math and reading apps and less time for apps that provide less educational value.

4. Create a Digital Allowance

Giving an allowance is a fairly standard practice among parents. Why not expand the concept of an allowance even further, whether it involves real money or a virtual currency? The specifics can be adapted to suit your needs.

Let's say that Timmy gets a monthly allowance of $20. The chores that he completes may be assigned different values to help him increase this amount, teaching him the value of hard work. And if he wants to play some games or watch some Netflix on the phone, it's going to cost him $1 an hour. At the end of the hour, he can choose to give up the phone or pay another dollar.

5. Start a Communal Tech Bucket

Think of this as the family-friendly version of the phone stack. The goal is to deter people from getting distracted with their phones while at the dinner table, encouraging them to interact with their dining companions with meaningful conversation.

When everyone is seated, everyone must place his or her phone in the center of the table. In the adult version of the "phone stack," the first person to grab their phone is responsible for paying the check. In the family version, perhaps make it so that the first person to reach for their phone has to wash the dishes or perform extra chores.

6. Practice HIIT for Technology

In the context of fitness and exercise, HIIT stands for high intensity interval training. By alternating between very intense periods of exercise and short recovery periods, HIIT is an effective way to lose weight. A similar philosophy can be applied to kids and smartphones too, hopefully with less sweat and fewer aching muscles.

For every 30 minutes of continuous and focused homework time, the child can earn 30 minutes with the technology of his choosing before switching back to another 30 minutes of homework. The length of the interval can be adjusted, of course. This is also similar to the popular pomodoro technique used for boosting productivity. Kids might learn that they finish their homework more quickly this way too!

7. Have Them Earn a Fun Weekend Outing

Kids, much like adults, are going to be much more motivated to do something if they have a reason to want to do that activity. A reward system can also help to teach them about delayed gratification. If the little one can go two days straight with zero screen time whatsoever, he or she can choose a fun weekend trip.

A great way to do this is to invest in annual family passes to some local attractions, like the aquarium, zoo, amusement park or children's museum. If little Maddy can exercise self-restraint during the week, she can have a terrific Sunday exploring all the different animals at the zoo.

8. Designate a Charging Station

True for users of all ages, staring at the glowing screen of a smartphone just before bedtime is not conducive to a good night's sleep. It can be very useful to establish times and places in the home when the child is not allowed to use a phone, tablet or similar device.

After a certain hour, all technology must be put away. The phone must also never be used in the bedroom. A great way to enforce this is to have a family charging station in a public area of the house. You can also indicate that the charging station can only be used at night, so if Jack plays too many iPhone games during the day and drains his battery, he won't be able to play again until the next morning.

Put Down Your Phone Too

As snarky and as disobedient as they may be sometimes, your kids still look up to you. They learn a lot more by watching what you do rather than listening to what you say. If they see that you are always checking your email and updating your Facebook, can you really expect your kid to be any different?

They don't really understand that you're on your phone for "work" purposes. Be a positive role model and lead by example. Take a look in the mirror? Are you addicted to your smartphone too? Do you need to implement one of these strategies yourself?

The use of cell phones in a school setting is hotly debated for both students and teachers. While some see a teacher's cell phone as another learning tool, others view it as a distraction. However, there are experts that make valid cases for both sides.

Advantages of Teachers' Cell Phones in the Classroom

Many professionals believe that cell phone usage by a teacher is acceptable. There are different reasons that teachers think cell phones are acceptable and even helpful in the classroom.

Cell Phones Improve Communication

Amanda McDonald, a veteran 4^th grade teacher, notes that cell phones can be helpful teaching tools and communication aids. Not only are they valuable for looking up facts, but teachers can have quick access to things like timers and calculators. Experts in a Huffington Post article on technology in the classroom agree that cell phones can be beneficial for communicating with parents about behavior or scheduling changes, and Common Sense Education says that they can be helpful for streamlining parent-teacher communication in several ways. They are also useful in case of an emergency.

McDonald does note, however, that ensuring that the security and material on a teacher's cell phone is appropriate at all times is important since it will be used as a learning tool. She also recommends that teachers notify the students of what they are using their cell phones for.

Educational Learning Apps

Teachers can also use their cell phones for educational learning or behavior management apps with students. Not only can the students and teacher use the apps to learn about subjects or engage in learning, teachers can also use learning applications to invoke better time management and studying.

Cell Phones Help With Classroom Activities

Using cell phones in learning can make it easier. A whopping 73 percent of teachers stated that they used cell phones to help with classroom activities. This is because it makes it easier to engage students if teachers can connect their learning to digital platforms they understand like Twitter and Snapchat. Additionally, cell phones can make grading, attendance and behavior management easier. A 2017 study in India showed that 86 percent of teachers in the study were in favor of cell phone use for classroom activities and felt it was not a distraction.

Arguments Against Use of Teacher Cell Phones

While there are many teachers that support the use of cell phones by teachers and students alike, there are some individuals opposed to the idea, especially in younger grades. The reasons they see cell phones as a menace are quite varied.

Cell Phones Are Not Necessary

With access to a computer and phone within the classroom, many feel there isn't any reason that a teacher needs to use his or her personal cell phone. Schools may also provide teachers with access to tablets for their use, which makes the use of a personal cell phone unnecessary.

Cell Phones Are Distracting

While teachers are professionals, the need to check messages or respond to a call could distract from learning and students. This could lead to children not getting 100 percent of the teacher's attention. While checking a message might not seem like much, doing it throughout the day can lead to an unproductive and even unsafe environment.

Compromises Data and Information

Using a personal cell phone to document children through a video, photo, communicate with parents or even record grades or information could violate confidentiality. Since the information was recorded on a personal device, it could be hacked or leaked in a way that is not approved by a parent. Additionally, it could even be against the law if the photos were posted in the wrong area or without parent consent. This could also be a safety issue if the images get into the wrong hands.

The Board Is Still Out

Whether teachers should have cell phones is a valid debate currently raging through schools. While they can be a great communication and learning tool that students already have, using cell phones could cause teachers to be distracted. They could also very well be a security liability. While there is not a right or wrong answer on this topic, teachers should consider both sides before taking a cell phone into the classroom.

Regular mobile phones and smartphones connect to the nearest cell phone tower in order to get reception. This is true for text and voice, just as it is true for wireless data. As such, one of the better indications for cell phone coverage in a specific area is to review a map of the tower locations. While the websites for the different carriers may display coverage maps, third party websites generally must be used to pinpoint the locations of the actual cell towers.

Three U.S. Cell Tower Maps

In the United States, most cell phone antennas are registered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This data typically serves as the basis for online maps of cell phone tower locations. Many online maps are able to further break down the information by provider, separating Verizon tower locations from those of AT&T, for example. However, since not every antenna is necessarily registered with the FCC, the data is inherently incomplete and is always a work in progress. Still, these maps can provide helpful information to consumers interested in identifying providers with the best local presence.

CellMapper.net

The maps used on CellMapper.net are powered by Google Maps, so the local information about streets and points of interest is generally kept up to date. The data regarding cell phone tower locations is then laid on top of the main Google Maps, giving the similar zoom and pan features found in the regular Google Maps interface.

To the left of the map are a series of fields that must be addressed before the map will be visible.

1. When promoted to share your location with the site, choose yes so that the map zooms in on your general region automatically.
2. Specify your country via the drop down list on the left side of the screen; the United States is listed as #310.
3. Next, you must then choose the provider. Each provider can be listed multiple times, because of how the tower registration process works. In order to see all the T-Mobile towers for example, you may need to go through each of the T-Mobile listings individually.
4. There is a drop-down box to select the network. This separates 2G networks from 3G and 4G LTE.
5. Beyond this, there are settings for the types of towers and for filtering the regions. It is best to select all the regions for the most complete information.

When you enter the required information, the map automatically updates, showing colored circles if there is more than one tower present in the area. Green zones indicate higher density and red zones indicate lower density. Zoom in and out of the map using the scroll wheel on your mouse.

MapMuse.com

MapMuse.com also using the mapping data from Google Maps. This site also provides an interactive map that can be navigated with the same zoom and pan functions as Google Maps.

1. Enter the name of your city or state in this search box to automatically orient the map to that region.
2. Click and drag to pan around the displayed map.
3. Use the zoom slider on the left-side of the map (below the yellow figure) to adjust the zoom level.
4. There are also zoom in (+) and zoom out (-) buttons toward the top-left of the map, which is also where you will find a search box.

There are far fewer filters, compared to CellMapper, for finding towers specific to a particular carrier or of a particular type. The map does not differentiate between cell phone tower locations that serve a 2G network, for instance, rather than a 3G or 4G network. This results in a more crowded, but more comprehensive map that can show all the known FCC tower locations in a particular area.

MapMuse does not color-code the relative density of cell phone towers when zoomed out the way that CellMapper does. Instead, this site simply uses a single blue square to indicate the location of each tower. Clicking on any given square, however, reveals the ability to view more details. This usually includes a more precise address or location information about that particular tower.

CellReception.com

While CellReception.com also uses Google Maps and a database of FCC-registered cell phone towers, its interface is different from the first two sites. Instead of providing an extra-large map of the entire country that can then be navigated, it has broken down the information for each of the major cities.

1. To use the map, you'll need to enter the name of the city you are interested in and choose the state from the drop down list.
2. A smaller map is then displayed with the Google Maps red marker indicating the location of each individual cell tower.
3. This resulting map can then be navigated as normal: click and drag to pan around the map, and then use the zoom slider on the left to adjust the zoom level. There are also pan controls above the zoom slider.

In addition to the actual map itself, each local area page also has a small table indicating the average rating and total number of reviews for the major carriers in the area. This helps to provide consumers with a better idea of how other customers in the area feel about the coverage they have. The map can also be filtered by these carriers, displaying only the T-Mobile towers or only the Verizon tower locations, for example.

Map of Canadian Cell Towers

Canadians also have access to a cellular towers map. The one produced and maintained by Steven Nikkel is simple, but remarkably robust. It also uses Google Maps as its basis and then each individual cell phone tower has its own indicator on the map. There is a basic search field to narrow the results down to a particular city, but the map itself can be navigated as normal with zoom and pan functionality.

The data includes the three major nationwide carriers -- Bell, Telus and Rogers -- as well as smaller and regional providers like Wind Mobile, MTS, SaskTel and VideoTron. The markers can be color coded for the different providers, giving consumers a good sense of whether they'll have coverage with a specific cell phone service provider in a specific area.

Tower Location Considerations

It can be both beneficial and detrimental to have many cell phone towers located near you. On the one hand, having a higher density of cell phone towers may mean that you don't have to deal with reception issues nearly as often. On the other hand, there is much discussion about the potential health risks associated with cell towers too. Whatever the case, having access to their location by way of the websites above better prepares you to make more educated decisions.

The world of mobile phones has really changed with the increased popularity of smartphone apps. The idea of loading applications on a cellular phone is not new, but the accessibility of these apps has certainly pushed the industry in a new direction.

Smartphone Apps for Different Platforms

It is undeniable that smartphone apps really rose to the surface with the arrival of the Apple iPhone 3G and the corresponding iTunes App Store. The iPhone was not the first phone with applications -- people were able to load third-party applications on their Windows Mobile devices for ages, as an example -- but it was one of the first to offer a unified storefront that was easily accessible directly from the phone itself. This ease of use made for a very popular platform.

Following the iPhone, other platforms started to offer similar virtual marketplaces and storefronts where users could easily browse, download, and purchase a wide variety of applications for their respective smartphones. None of these offer the same number of apps as the iTunes App Store, but that's not to say that they can't offer the same kind of variety. After all, many iPhone apps are actually very similar, virtually duplicating their functionality.

Ovi Store for Nokia Smartphones

Nokia continues to be the largest cell phone maker in the world, despite the perceived popularity of devices from other manufacturers. The company is losing market share, but it still has a very large established base of users who proudly own and use their Symbian-based smartphones.In addition to third-party applications available from a multitude of sources on the Internet, it is also possible to get Nokia smartphone apps through the official Ovi Store. Available both via a computer browser and through the app on a Nokia phone, users can find such applications as Gravity (a Twitter client), Endomondo (a fitness app), and JewelSpin (a puzzle game).

BlackBerry App World

Many people seem to assume that the BlackBerry line of devices from Canada's Research in Motion (RIM) is only good for corporate users who need to synchronize with their Outlook calendars and business e-mail accounts. While this remains a huge source of business for RIM, the company has quickly expanded into the consumer realm as well with phones like the BlackBerry Pearl and BlackBerry Torch.In like manner, it is possible to find a range of BlackBerry applications through the BlackBerry App World. This functions in much the same way as the iTunes App Store, except purchases can be funneled through a PayPal account for payment. Through App World, users can download tip calculators, Opera web browsers, Facebook applications, and so much more.

Android Market

While the BlackBerry App World is only good for BlackBerry phones and the Ovi Store is only good for Nokia phones, Android Market supports a range of devices from a number of different manufacturers. As long as the phone runs on the Google Android platform, it should be able to access Android Market to find a range of Android applications. This is true for the HTC Droid Incredible, the Samsung Galaxy S, the Motorola Droid X, and countless other options from different manufacturers and wireless providers. Stay on top of Twitter, download the metal detector, make use of Google Googles, and more with apps from the Android Market.

iTunes App Store

To date, the iTunes App Store contains over 200,000 different applications for the Apple iPhone. Many of these are compatible with the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and the iPhone 4, though a select number will only work with the iPhone 4 because of special requirements. Others will only work if your device has been upgraded to iOS 4 or newer.Whether you want to read books with Kindle, share your location with Foursquare, or take better pictures with Camera+, the App Store has you covered.

There's an App for That

Many people will assume that the iPhone is the best place to find apps for smartphones, but that isn't necessarily the case. There are many BlackBerry or Android apps, for instance, that cannot be found on other platforms. Keep an open mind and download at will, because you'll likely find an app that'll fill just about any need.

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Description:
Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite as a phablet features 6.26 inch display afford you a vivid and different visual experience. Triple cameras, 12.0MP + 5.0MP back cameras and 24.0MP front camera, you can enjoy images with 1080 x 2280high resolution. It comes with most of the features we've come to expect from a phablet, including 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM storage equipped with Android 8.1 OS and 3300mAh big capacity battery that you can play games faster.

Main Features:
Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite 4G Phablet 6.26 inch Android 8.1 Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Octa Core 2.2GHz 6GB RAM 128GB ROM 24.0MP Front Camera Fingerprint Sensor
● Display: 6.26 inch, 2280 x 1080 Pixel FHD+ Screen 
● CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Octa Core 2.2GHz + 1.8GHz 
● System: Android 8.1
● RAM + ROM: 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM
● Camera: 12.0MP + 5.0MP rear camera + 24.0MP front camera
● Sensor: Accelerometer, Ambient Light Sensor, E-Compass, Gravity Sensor, Gyroscope, Proximity Sensor
● SIM Card: Nano SIM card + Nano SIM card / Nano SIM card + Micro SD card 
● Feature: GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, Beidou
● Bluetooth: 5.0

Networks:
● GSM: B2 / B3 / B5 / B8
● WCDMA: B1 / B2 / B4 / B5 / B8
● FDD-LTE: Band 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 7 / 8 / 20 / 28 
● TDD-LTE: Band 38 / 40Brand: Xiaomi 
Language: Azerbaijani, Indonesian, Bahasa Melayu, Catalan, Danish, German, Estonian, English (India), English (United Kingdom), English (United States), Spanish (Spain), Spanish (United States), Basque, French, Galician, Hausa, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Dutch, Norwegian, Uzbek, Polish, Portugese (Brasil), Portugese (Portugal), Romanian, Slovencina, Slovenian, Finnish, Swedish, Vietnamese, Turkish, Czech, Serbian, Croatian, Kazakh, Macedonian, Russian, Ukranian, Bulgarian, Greek, Georgian, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali (India), Gujarati, Punjabi, Assamese, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Nepali(India), Oriya, Urdu(India), Urdu(Pakistan), Bengali (Bangladesh), Nepali(Nepal), Thai, Burmese, Arabic(Egypt), farsi, Hebrew, Khmer, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Taiwan Traditional), Chinese (Hong Kong Traditional), Japanese 
OS: Android 8.1 
Service Provider: Unlocked 
SIM Card Slot: Dual SIM,Dual Standby 
SIM Card Type: Nano SIM Card 
Type: 4G PhabletCPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 
Cores: 2.2GHz 
External Memory: TF card up to 256GB 
RAM: 6GB RAM 
ROM: 128GB2G: GSM,GSM 1800MHz,GSM 1900MHz,GSM 850MHz,GSM 900MHz 
3G: WCDMA B1 2100MHz,WCDMA B2 1900MHz,WCDMA B5 850MHz,WCDMA B8 900MHz 
Network type: FDD-LTE,GSM,TDD-LTE,WCDMA 
WIFI: 2.4G/5G WiFi,802.11a/b/g/n/ac wireless internet 
Wireless Connectivity: 3G,4G,A-GPS,GPS,GSM,WiFi 
4G LTE: FDD B1 2100MHz,FDD B2 1900MHz,FDD B20 800MHz,FDD B28 700MHz,FDD B3 1800MHz,FDD B4 1700MHz,FDD B5 850MHz,FDD B7 2600MHz,FDD B8 900MHz,TDD B38 2600MHz,TDD B40 2300MHzScreen resolution: 2280 x 1080 
Screen size: 6.26 inch 
Screen type: CapacitiveBack-camera: 12.0MP + 5.0MP 
Camera type: Triple cameras 
Front camera: 24.0MPAdditional Features: 3G,4G,Alarm,Bluetooth,Browser,Calculator,Calendar,Fingerprint recognition,Fingerprint Unlocking,GPS,MP3,MP4,WiFi 
Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.0 
Google Play Store: Yes 
I/O Interface: Nano SIM / Micro SD Slot,Type-C 
Sensor: Accelerometer,Ambient Light Sensor,E-Compass,Gravity Sensor,Gyroscope,Proximity SensorBattery Capacity (mAh): 3350mAh (typ) / 3250mAh (min)Back Case : 1 
Cell Phone: 1 
Power Adapter: 1 
SIM Needle: 1 
USB Cable: 1Package size: 20.00 x 15.00 x 8.00 cm / 7.87 x 5.91 x 3.15 inches 
Package weight: 0.587 kg 
Product size: 15.64 x 7.58 x 0.75 cm / 6.16 x 2.98 x 0.3 inches 
Product weight: 0.450 kg

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The source of much public debate, the issue of whether to allow children and teens to bring their mobile phones to school has been discussed and debated at length across the country. Even now, there is no clear-cut answer or conclusion. There are many arguments against allowing cell phones in the classroom.

Distractions

When a child is in school, his or her purpose there is to learn. Young people can be easily distracted from their studies - and having easy access to a mobile phone during class can make it easier for them to lose focus. According to a 2010 study from Pew Research Center, 64% of students say they have texted in class and 25% have made or taken a call. And it's not just talking to others. That same study noted that 46% of students play games and 23% access social networks on their phone at any time. If they become bored with the class material, it doesn't take much for them to take their cell phone to play some games or to check their news feed on Facebook or Twitter. How can you expect a child or teen to absorb the knowledge they need to learn if they're not even paying attention?

Cheating

Obviously, kids won't be able to take out their cell phones and talk to one another in the classroom during an exam, but the concept of "passing notes" has stepped into the age of technology, thanks to text messaging. Texts can be sent quite discreetly while in the classroom. Taking it one step further, a student can excuse himself to go to the washroom, only to use that time to send text messages about important questions.

It's also important to bear in mind that cell phones are advancing and improving faster than ever. Smartphones can surf the web, providing high-tech ways for students to look for test answers online. Some models have advanced calculators, and depending on the software, may even be able to run custom applications that can contribute to academic dishonesty. Just to look at the statistics, a study from The Benenson Strategy Group in 2009 stated that 35% of students have used cell phones to cheat. Additionally, 41% of students admit to storing notes on phones to use during tests and 46% of teens admitted to texting friends about answers. The possibilities for cheating and copying are literally limitless when students have access to cell phones in class.

Theft

Cell phone theft is a problem in America with 3.1 million cellphones being stolen in 2013, according to Consumer Reports. Now add still developing brains, hormones and social status to the mix, and you can have the perfect combination for stealing if a particular individual brings an especially expensive cell phone to school. The last thing you want to do is to tempt the would-be thieves by sending your child to school with a piece of equipment that make him or her a target. Lockers are more likely to be broken into, for example, if they know there is something of value in there.

Illicit Pictures

Kids will be kids, so with hormones raging during their school days, there is a distinct possibility that some students may take pictures or videos that they shouldn't be taking. Given that nearly every cell phone these days has a built-in digital camera, it becomes too easy to take a picture of someone without the person even noticing. These photos are also easily uploaded and shared over the Internet, social media or texted to friends. All it takes is a simple Google search to see news stories of teenagers expelled or suspended for distributing illicit pictures of others like these students in Shakopee Public Schools. Can you imagine the uproar if pictures were to arise of girls in the dressing room or boys in the locker room?

Cyberbullying

Along the same lines, cell phones also make it easier to cyberbully, which is when a person uses electronic communication to intimidate, threaten or humiliate a person. Not only can cell phones make it easier for rumors to spread like wildfire through the school with a simple click of a button, but students can also send mean or hurtful texts to students and post inappropriate pictures of students.

Data from the Cyberbullying Research in 2016 showed that 33.8% of students have been bullied in their lifetime, 11.9% have been threated through a cell phone text and 11.1% have had a hurtful image of them posted. In addition, a whopping 25.7% have had one or more different types of cyberbullying done to them. With cell phones readily available in schools, cyberbullying can become a lot easier to accomplish.

Socioeconomic Diversity

Cell phones can easily become seen as status symbols among students. In some schools, it is the more privileged kids that own cell phones or that have the latest phone on the market. This can lead to envy and cause socioeconomic diversity among students. Those with lower-end phones or no phones at all often become jealous and resentful. Those with the higher-end phones can show them off and look down on those who don't have the latest phone.

Inappropriate Material

Cell phones are becoming more and more advanced mini computers that allow students to access material at the click of the screen. While most schools have filters and regulations to block out inappropriate material, with 48% of students looking up unsuitable sites, they can find a way around this. This coupled with larger classrooms can make access to inappropriate material easier. Now imagine students texting that material to other students. Pretty soon, it will be everywhere.

Target for Predators

Many students use the internet or access social media sites without teacher or parent supervision. These students can be targeted by predators. Predators lurk in chat rooms, on social media sites and other websites that are of interest to students. With the use of smartphones and other devices, it can be hard to monitor a student's online activity.

Harmful Physical Effects

The EPA has regulations that discourage too much exposure to technology and allowing students to have cell phones in school can increase their screen time during the day. Cell phones give off a low level of non-ionizing radiation for which the long-term effects at low levels are still being studied. However, allowing students to use their cell phones during school adds to their exposure to this radiation, which can in turn have increased harmful effects on the developing bodies and minds of teenagers.

The Other Side of the Story

Realize that cell phones are not necessarily a bad thing for students to have and carry to school. Just as there are a number of cons to allowing cell phones to be used in school, there also a number of pros too. Parents can decide if a phone is appropriate for their child and set guidelines on how they want it to be used. Many schools also have set rules on whether cell phones are permitted or not so it is best to check with the school's specific policy before sending your child in with a cell phone.

Keeping your cellphone clean goes beyond eliminating viruses and malware because the actual phone itself can quickly become a cesspool of germs, bacteria and fingerprints. Before you place your phone in the washing machine on the gentle cycle, heed this advice for cleaning it without damaging its components.

Wipe the Screen With a Microfiber Cloth

Touchscreen displays are incredibly useful and intuitive, but they can also accumulate a fair number of fingerprints and unsightly smudges. The best way to freshen up the display is by wiping it with a microfiber cloth using long, smooth strokes.

It's best if you avoid using any liquids on the screen since they can damage the coating or even the internals. Don't use your shirt or a restaurant napkin either because these materials have fibers that can scratch the screen. While there are methods for getting rid of scratches, they are not foolproof so it's best to avoid scratching the screen on your smartphone in the first place.

Only Use an Alcohol Mixture on Other Parts

For nearly all the other parts aside from the touchscreen, you can clean your phone using a minimal amount of an alcohol solution. There are special cleaning products on the market, but they are largely unnecessary. Instead, mix isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) in a 40% concentration with water. Distilled water is preferable because it does not contain the chemical impurities of tap water which can leave streaks or a film on your phone when the water dries.

1. Dampen a microfiber cloth or a cotton swab with the alcohol solution and squeeze out any excess solution.
2. Gently clean the solid phone parts, including the individual keys on physical keyboards.

Use the alcohol solution very sparingly since liquids of any kind can be harmful for electronics. Never use any sort of household cleaners, like Windex, since these products can also stain or damage your phone.

Never Spray Liquid Directly on the Device

Even when using straight water or the alcohol solution described above, never spray the liquid directly onto your cellphone. Spraying can force droplets of liquid into the internal components of your phone and cause corrosion and other damage. If you must use any liquid at all, apply it to a microfiber cleaning cloth or cotton swab and then use the cloth or swab to clean the phone.

Packing Tape Removes Dust and Debris

When you see dust, lint and other particles, as well as some smudges or fingerprints, you can remove a good amount using regular packing tape or clear tape. This is especially useful when a microfiber cleaning cloth is not available, and the method is simple.

1. Wrap some tape around the fingers on your hand with the sticky side out.
2. Proceed to dab or "roll" your fingers onto the surface of your phone to remove small debris.

Remove the Back and Battery If Possible

While many newer smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Apple iPhone 6s, feature a completely sealed design, many cellphones still allow you to remove the back cover to access the battery, SIM card slot and microSD slot. If your phone allows access, remove the back cover when cleaning because a significant amount of debris can get into those little crevices.

The method for cleaning the inside and edges of the back cover, as well as the exposed back of the phone, is the same as cleaning the other hard plastic parts of the phone's exterior.

1. Turn off your phone, remove the back and take out the battery.
2. Dampen a cotton swab slightly with a little distilled water and carefully clean the exposed surface.
3. If the surface doesn't air dry almost immediately, gently dry it with a microfiber cloth right away to avoid damage.
4. Reinsert the battery and put the back on the phone.

Don't Forget to Clean Your Case

Just as cleaning the inside edge of the back cover is highly recommended, you should also clean any protective case you may use with your cellphone. Most cases can be cleaned with a damp cloth using the alcohol solution described above to help remove oils and fingerprints. Also clean the inside of the case since it makes direct contact with your phone.

Invest in a UV Cell Phone Sanitizer

Killing the germs and bacteria that reside on and in your phone can be a challenge since using harsh chemicals or other cleaning solutions is not recommended. A cell phone sanitizer is a suitable alternative that uses short wavelength ultraviolet radiation. These devices shine the UV light on the surface of the phone, effectively eradicating most microscopic organisms.

Several companies manufacture and sell such devices.

• The PhoneSoap UV Smartphone Sanitizer costs about $60 and takes about four minutes to complete the sanitizing process.
• The CellBlaster Universal UV Cellphone Sanitizer retails for about $100 and can effectively eliminate over 99% of bacteria and viruses in about 30 seconds.

Follow a Basic Cleaning Schedule

There are no hard and fast rules for cleaning your phone, but a few recommendations can help keep smudges and germs under control

• Wipe the screen with a microfiber cloth as often as needed.

• Plan to give the phone a thorough cleaning about once a week.
• If you have a UV sanitizer, plan to sanitize the phone about every other week.

A Cleaner Phone, A Healthier You

According to Good Housekeeping, cell phones are actually dirtier than toilet seats. Considering how much more often a cell phone is used, coupled with the fact that it is placed next to your face, it is very prudent to keep your phone as clean as possible. Even an occasional wipe with a clean microfiber cloth can make a difference.

I think it's a pretty good bet that the two scariest words for any cell phone user are "low battery". Apart from getting it wet, getting a low power warning is the worst thing that can happen to your smartphone, and most of us are constantly aware of how our battery is doing and if it needs to be charged.

There are many misleading myths that evolved over time about charging your phone, and most of them are completely wrong. These myths are not only false but can actually do more harm than good, and reduce the total life span of your battery. So for those of us who want to keep our phone battery charged as long as possible, these are the myths you should avoid:

1. False: Off-brand chargers destroy batteries

True: While not optimal, off-brand chargers are still fine for recharging your phone and will not have a significant influence on your battery's lifespan. What you should be avoiding are real-brand imitations. Charging your phone with one of these will barely get the job done, reduce your battery's maximum charge and endanger its ability to function.

2. False: Don't use your phone while it charges

True: Using the phone while it's plugged into the charger will not decrease the effectiveness of the charge. The origin of this myth is linked to cases in which people used low-quality knockoffs. When using a sketchy charger all sorts of bad things can happen to your phone, but as mentioned before you don’t want to be using them anyway. If you're using the manufacturer approved charger and battery, you should be fine using it anytime you want. However, if you find your phone is overheating to the point you can't use it, it's time to take it to the technician..

3. False: Charging your phone overnight damages the battery

True: Our phones today are smarter than they used to be, when in full capacity they automatically know they should stop charging. However, that doesn't mean you should have your phone plugged into the charger all the time. The optimal time to charge your phone in order to keep the battery going for as long as possible is between 40% and 80%.

4. False: Never turn off your phone

True: This myth is a total lie, just because your phone is a machine doesn’t mean it's bad for it to take a few breaks. In fact, Apple experts recommend to turn off your phone once in a while in order to maximize battery life. At the very least it's recommended that you turn off your phone once a week for a few hours.

5. False: Don't charge your battery until it's completely empty

True: This myth was true in past generations of smartphones and rechargeable electronic devices, but today it's completely wrong. Most modern phones use lithium-ion batteries and if you constantly let them drain to 0%, they become unstable. It is much better to charge your phone every day when it's between 40% and 80% power. 

6. False: Always charge a new phone before using it

True: Almost every new phone comes with instructions to fully charge it before you start using it but it's mostly unnecessary. Since most modern batteries are best stored at about 40%, almost every manufacturer sends their phones out with at least half a charge. This means that if you buy a new phone and it does not have a 40% charge when you turn it on, its most likely because the battery is very old. If this is the case, you should ask for a different one as it will likely last you longer than one that has either been used before, or has been sitting idle for a really long time with no use.

7. False: You can always use rechargeable batteries

True: This one is a bit more misleading than false, but it's still important to know that most batteries do have a limited lifespan of full discharge cycles. Each cycle starts when your device has used 100% of its capacity. This means that if you charge your phone today from 50% to full and do the same tomorrow, that’s a full discharge cycle. Once you go above the number of full cycles your battery is capable of it will start to lose its capacity to store power.

So yes, you can keep on using your battery for a very long time, but once the official "lifespan" is over, you'll have to be very mindful of how you use it. Hopefully, it will only happen once, when you want to upgrade your device. 

Bonus fact: Heat will ruin your battery

As a general rule heat and technology don't go hand-in-hand. Lithium-ion batteries get hotter when they are being charged. Now while it's also a really bad idea to put your phone in the fridge, you should always be mindful of where you place your phone, especially when charging it. Never charge it under direct sunlight or next to other hot electronics like a laptop or a working oven. This may not only damage your battery but also the phone itself.

3-in-1 Magnetic Quick Charging Data Cable for Type-C 8 Pin Micro USB Devices

Details

Functional charging and data transmission
Material nylon preparation and aluminum alloy
100 cm in length
Gold, silver, gray, rose gold, black
The input 5V, 2.4A
Ce certificate; The FCC
Flexible and portable; Light weight
Connect to the usb 2.0 connector
Cable type insulation; Low voltage; Coaxial; electricAccessories type: Cable 
Color: Black,Gold,Gray,Rose Gold 
Mainly Compatible with: HTC,HUAWEI,Lenovo,Letv,LG,MEIZU,Nokia,Sony,Xiaomi 
Type: Cable 
Material ( Cable&Adapter): Metal,Nylon,PVCCable Length (cm): 100 
Interface Type: 8 pin,Micro USB,USB Type-CPackage size (L x W x H): 10.00 x 7.00 x 0.10 cm / 3.94 x 2.76 x 0.04 inches 
Package weight: 0.049 kgPackage Contents: 1 x Cable

More Categories :

• Phone & Tablet Cables
• Fast Chargers
• Wireless Chargers
• Adapter Plugs
• USB Power Adapters
• USB Power Strips
• Solar Chargers
• Charging Docks

 

Almost nothing can put a phone out of commission faster than charging issues. It doesn't matter how many features are packed into a phone if it has problems charging or holding a charge. If you do not feel comfortable performing the troubleshooting steps listed here, contact the phone's manufacturer for support.

Determining Problems

Most problems with charging a cell phone can be placed in one of two categories: hardware and software. Sometimes a charging issue is the result of both hardware and software problems. Luckily, many of these issues can be cleared up with simple troubleshooting steps.

Hardware or Software?

Hardware issues are often the result of the phone, charging cable, or power supply malfunctioning. It is also possible that the phone does not support certain types of charging accessories; this is common with iPhones in particular. Software issues are usually caused by bugs or changes to system preferences (like screen brightness or background app refreshing) and can be fixed by updating system software or double-checking preference settings to make sure you are getting the most out of your device.

Check the Warranty Status

If you purchased an extended warranty from the phone manufacturer or pay for insurance through the cell phone provider, don't try to fix the cell phone charging problem yourself. Take the phone back to the manufacturer or cell phone store because anything you do to the phone may void any warranty or insurance coverage.

If you are unsure of your phone's warranty status, manufacturers usually have a warranty status page on their website that allows you to check the status of your phone. You will need the serial number of your device to check the warranty status. You can usually find this in the settings app, on the back of the phone, or behind the battery cover.

Common Symptoms and Solutions

If the phone is outside the warranty period and there is no insurance policy covering the phone, consider some of these possible causes, along with the associated instructions for fixing cell phone charging problems.

• Frayed charging cable: It is unwise and even unsafe to use a charging cable that is not properly wrapped or insulated. If a cable is frayed or otherwise damaged, it should be replaced. A cable often frays because it is consistently bent in a way that crimps the wires or insulation. Be mindful of how the cable is bent to make cables last longer.
• Battery drains more quickly than normal: A sudden drop in battery life can be the result of software bugs, unintended changes in system preferences, or malfunctioning hardware. First, check to make sure your system software and firmware are up to date. Next, check preferences like screen brightness and background app refreshing. Turn the screen brightness down or enable auto-brightness control if the phone has it. Certain apps may be the culprit too, particularly with background data. Check individual app settings and try uninstalling any recent apps that may be draining the battery more quickly. Sometimes, resetting or restarting the phone can be very helpful too, as this can clear out the background cache and activities. Lastly, try replacing the battery. If the battery is not user-replaceable, do not open the phone. Instead, contact the manufacturer for repairs.
• Battery doesn't last as long: Every battery is generally rated for a certain number of charging cycles. The actual performance can vary, but it is inevitable that older batteries will not hold a charge as effectively as new batteries. One way to test this is to charge the phone fully (100%) and then turn it off. Leave the phone off for a couple of days and then turn it back on. There should have been minimal drain during that time, but if the battery status level has been significantly reduced, it probably means it doesn't hold a charge very well anymore. Replace the battery if possible.
• Phone does not recognize when the charging cable is connected: This can be the result of using a cheap charger or charging cable that does not meet the minimum specification requirements of the phone. Check the manufacturer's website for approved charging accessories. Buying a cable from a reputable electronics dealer is always recommended.
• Phone is charging slowly: If a phone is charging slowly, it usually means the power supply is not providing enough electrical current to the phone to charge it at an acceptable speed. This problem often occurs when using a power supply other than the one provided with the phone. Use the power supply that came with your phone to ensure the phone is getting enough electricity to charge properly. Some phones may require a 2.1A (amp) charger, but some third party accessories may only offer 1.0A of power, for example. It is important to only purchase replacement power supplies from reputable electronics dealers.

• The charging cable does not insert fully into the phone's charging port or the charging is not steady: This is most likely caused by poor contact with the charging connector. The connection may feel insecure and wobbly. It could also be caused by a foreign object (like pocket lint) getting stuck in the phone's charging port. A can of compressed air for cleaning electronics can get small objects out of the port. Be sure to follow all instructions provided with the compressed air can very carefully to avoid unintended damage.
• Phone is heating up more than normal: Phones or batteries overheating can be a combination of software and hardware issues. Make sure system software and firmware is current. If a software or firmware update does not resolve the problem, try restarting the phone or looking for any recently installed apps that may be causing the issue. Finally, try replacing the battery. If the battery is not replaceable, do not open the phone. Instead, contact the manufacturer for repairs.

Phone Repairs

If the troubleshooting steps listed above do not resolve the charging issue, you can still have it repaired. Sometimes repairs require you to mail your phone off for a week or so, which means you will be without a phone until it returns. Consider getting a cheap phone with a

Extended Service Plans

When considering a new phone, look into buying the extended warranty or service plan offered by the cell phone company or retail store. Remember that most people carry their phone everywhere or leave it in dangerous spots like a desk or coffee table. Even if nothing goes wrong with your phone, you have peace of mind knowing you are covered.

Not to be confused with cell phone cases, cell phone skins can be described as decals or stickers that people can add to their cell phones to give them a unique and personal look. Skins are usually made out of a vinyl material that is easily adhered to the surface of the cell phone. They are usually not permanent, so they can be peeled off and replaced.

Where to Buy Cell Phone Skins

Cell phone skins are available for purchase from a number of retailers. Some online stores even offer the ability to upload your own custom artwork for further personalization.

SkinIt

The SkinIt online store organizes its offerings by the brand name of the cell phone, covering a broad range of devices. These include Apple, HTC, LG, Motorola, BlackBerry, Nokia, Samsung and Pantech. Under each brand is a listing of the specific models for which cell phone skins are available. Once on the page for the particular cell phone model, the listing of skins can be sorted by category and sub-category.

Design Options

Skins featuring designs from various professional and college sports teams are available, like the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, the NBA's Boston Celtics, and MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers. Indeed, there are usually multiple designs for each team.

Numerous other design categories are available from SkinIt. Options include:

• Comics & Superheroes: Such characters as Batman, Green Lantern, Peanuts, Where's Waldo, and Wonder Woman
• Sanrio Hello Kitty: Cute characters include Tuxedosam, Kerroppi and Hello Kitty
• Star Wars: Styles include Darth Vader, Jabba the Hutt, Rebel Emblem, and Grand Jedi Master Yoda
• Military: Major forces like the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines
• Countries of the World: Flag-based imagery from all around the globe
• Gaming: Video game imagery from classic Sonic the Hedgehog to more modern Borderlands 2
• Religious: Mostly Christian imagery, like the Christian Fish, the Cross and highlighted scripture

Pricing

Most cell phone skins from SkinIt retail for about $15.00, including secure fast shipping and a 30-day, hassle-free return policy. Custom designs are typically $19.99 and can be personalized through the in-browser wizard.

Nuvango

Formerly known as Gelaskins, Nuvango provides some very unique designs for its catalog of cell phone skins. Most major brands of mobile phones are supported by Nuvango, including Apple iPhone, Blackberry, Google, Sony, HTC and Nokia. By clicking on the downward facing arrow next to each brand, you can select your specific device from the list. The gallery of available skins for that device are then displayed. This includes both the front and rear skins. The results can be further organized based on the "Collections" offered by Nuvango.

Design Options

Nuvango's designs are more artistic or expressive in their approach, rather than focusing on sports teams and other well-known iconography. Options include Abstract Art, Patterns & Textures, Urban Art and The Ocean Called.

In addition to the range of designs offered by the professional artists, Nuvango also provides customers with the option of uploading and creating their own custom cell phone skins. This can be accessed by clicking on "Custom" near the top of the website and scrolling down to the section for Phone, Laptop & Tablet Skins.

Uploaded artwork must satisfy four key criteria:

• Must be at least 2000 pixels in size (40MB maximum file size)
• Saved in RGB colorspace (instead of CMYK)
• Uploaded in JPG or PNG format
• Must be original art, not violating trademarks or copyright

The web-based wizard walks you through the process of creating your custom skin. This involves choosing your device, uploading your image and setting the focal point.

Pricing

Nuvango's skins typically sell for $15 for both the front and the back.

DecalGirl

DecalGirl sells both custom and ready-made cell phone skins in a variety of styles. Product support is very good with such brands as Apple, Blackberry, Google, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Nokia and Palm. After choosing the brand and the specific model of phone, a gallery is presented with the available cell phone skin designs for that device. The results can be filtered based on the artist, brand, and artwork type. They can also be sorted by best sellers, most liked, trending or newest.

Design Options

Decal Girl offers designs featuring a number of well-known brands, like Disney Princess, Mickey Mouse, Kawasaki, The Muppets and Winnie the Pooh. Additional options include:

• For Her: Feminine designs, many of which with a floral theme
• Anime/Manga: Mostly generic and unique Japanese-inspired designs not directly tied to existing franchises
• Celestial: Space-themed visuals depicting the Milky Way, a pulsar, a black hole or constellations
• Horror: Frightful cell phone skins with skeletons, skulls and the stuff of nightmares
• Music: Showing instruments and speakers, as well as branded designs from Kicker
• Patriotic: American designs with camo, the American flag, bald eagles and more
• Travel: Featuring visuals inspired from around the world, like Paris, London and Japan

DecalGirl also allows you to upload custom artwork to create your own unique skin. As with Nuvango, there is a browser-based utility for uploading images and then rotating, resizing and placing them on the phone. You can also add text or change the background color. When finished, you will be shown a preview before proceeding to the checkout. Most custom skins are $15.

Pricing

Most of DecalGirl's packages include both the front and back skin, as well as a matching wallpaper, for between $10 and $15.

DesignSkins

DesignSkins offers DesignFoils cell phone skin in two main types. The regular DesignSkins are "ultra thin, for every device" and are similar to the products offered by the other websites listed above. The 3D HaptikSkins, on the other hand, are skins that come with a "classy texture" for a unique feeling. Both are available for a range of devices. After selecting the type of skin, you can then search for your specific mobile phone. Supported models include the iPhone 6, Galaxy S5, and the HTC One M8.

Design Options

Featured categories of designs include:

• Abstract: With bold splashes of color, geometric shapes and other unique looks
• Animals: From photos of cute kitties and majestic horses to drawings of howling wolves and curious owls
• Fine Arts: Re-creations of masterpieces like Starry Night and the Great Wave of Kanagawa
• Football: Popular football (soccer) clubs like Weder Bremen, VFL Wolfsburg and Team Deutschland
• In Love: Cute and romantic designs, ranging from Mickey and Minnie Mouse to lovely hearts
• Vehicle: Classic cars like the Shelby 500, as well as modern sports cars like the Porsche GT2

In addition to the designs available through DesignSkins, the website also provides a utility to create your own by uploading your own photos and images. The browser utility allows for the addition of shapes and text, as well as adjustments for transparency, height, width and rotation.

Pricing

DesignSkins start at $7.95, while 3D HaptikSkins start at $19.95.

A Brand New Look for Your Cell Phone

For people who are really concerned with how their cell phones look, adding a personalized and unique cell phone skin is the perfect solution to sprucing up the look of a phone. Since the skin itself is no thicker than a standard screen protector, it doesn't add any bulk to the device. Cell phone skin companies make skins that fit other sorts of electronic equipment too, so it is also possible to customize tablets, notebooks and portable game consoles.