“Look Up” Video and Electronic Etiquette Tips Essential for all

Facts: 77% of kids own a cell phone. Kids ages 12 to 17 text an average of 60 times per day. Only 35% of kids socialize with friends face-to-face outside of school.

Most kids have a cell phone now, or if not, they will soon! We all love our cell phones, but kids are spending more time communicating with their friends electronically than they are in person!

Here is a link to a video that has gone viral on YouTube called “Look Up” and it’s about how important it is to put away your electronic devices and be in the moment with the people you are with and develop real relationships! I loved this video because it has a great message for adults and for our children. I will show this to my 11 and 14 year olds as soon as they get home from school. (Disclaimer, there is one swear word and a kiss.)

If your kids do use their cell phone a lot, here are some important guidelines to follow to ensure that they are still showing respect to the people they’re with and that they do not become one of “those” obnoxious people on their phone all the time!

1.  Put your phone away and don’t text, talk, or surf while talking to others in person.

2.  If you have to take a call/text when with others just say, “I’m sorry, but I have to take this” and then step away to talk.If you need to text more than three times to communicate something pick up the phone and call the person.

3.  Have a nice voicemail greeting that your grandmother would approve of like,”Hello this is Emma. I’m sorry I can’t take your call right now, but please leave me your name and number and I will call you back.” Also leave nice and clear messages.

4.  Don’t bring your cell phone to the table! If you are at a restaurant and get really bored and you have to, then make sure the sound is off and you put it away once the food comes.

5.  When you text, make sure that the “per u snd it 2 undstds ur msg.” Make sure you spell things that need to be spelled out for others to know what you are saying!

6.  Don’t talk loudly on your phone in public places or use your phone in places that are supposed to be quiet! Know that others really don’t want to hear your conversations.

7. Don’t call or text someone after 9:00 PM or before 9:00 AM unless you know for sure they are awake.

8. If you can’t talk to someone in person about an important issue, call them instead of writing a long text message. Some things require a real person-to-person conversation so pick up the phone “the old-fashioed way”.

Please send me your manner pet peeves and I will share them (no names) in next week’s blog. I can be reached by leaving a comment here or by emailing me at aimee@finesseworldwide.com.

Aimee Symington is the CEO of Finesse Worldwide, Inc. which offers children’s etiquette classes in Davidson and in the Charlotte area. For more information go to www.FinesseWorldwide.com or for the Charlotte class Sign-Up page here.