What You Need to Know Before Your Child Gets a Smartphone
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Having a new teen and a pre-teen at home recently created a dilemma for me about whether or not to purchase cell phones for them. I always said after dealing with cell phone overages with my now adult son who is 25 that I’d never add another kid to my cell phone plan. Times have changed a lot and plans offer unlimited options that are reasonably priced.
For the most part my, kids really don’t go anywhere other than school (or school activities) where I’m not close by. I’ve fought the cell phone issue for a while even though literally almost every kid at their school has a phone. In fact there are so many of them with phones, a few teachers actually have the kids use as part of lesson plans in class and the kids without phones have to share with those who have them.
Not so long ago my teenager wanted to stay after school which normally didn’t present a problem because my younger child still goes to after care. On this particular day, the childcare program was closed and I needed to rely on a neighbor but they don’t have a telephone. Because my daughter has some health concerns I was a nervous mess until I was able to get home. It got me thinking….should I or shouldn’t I really consider this cell phone thing. She bugged me for months about a phone and I just didn’t see the need. Recently I gave in …yup I caved….against my past thoughts about kids not needing cell phones. Suddenly a whole new set of concerns came into play. Who will she text? Who will text her? Do I know the sexting laws in my state? What will she run into on the internet? The answer seemed simple, a parental control app would solve it all right? There are so many of them it’s not funny so how would I choose?
Allowing your child to get a cell phone is not an easy decision for all parents. Some think “well if you raise your kids right they should be just fine.” The reality is that in today’s world even if you raise your kids “right” there are so many things they are exposed to that we were never exposed to growing up. And today’s version of what society and television portray as “right” is not the same as what many of us were raised to believe is right. So what is a parent to do? Here are a few thing to consider when considering whether or not it is time to get your child a smart phone:
- Is there a need for them to have the phone or is it just a desire for them to fit in?
- Will you add them to your cell contract or put them on a prepaid plan and what are the remedies should they use the phone?
- Does your child show responsibility with their other electronic devices?
- How much do you know about cyberbullying, texting and sexting laws in your state? Example: Even if YOUR child doesn’t forward a picture there are some states they can get in trouble for possession of child pornography just because another child sends them a photo of someone.
- Will you look into a parental apps? Do your research!
- What kind of social media apps will you allow and do you know about the disappearing ones?
- What are your children’s school district’s rules on cell phone usage?
- Have you considered a family cell phone contract for you and your child to sign?
- What are reasonable punishments should they break the rules with the phone?
- Do you know WHO their friends are they will give the phone number too?
When children reach the next level in their growth journey it can be scary for parents; however, one thing we can be sure of is they will grow up. It pays to think in advance how you will deal with new levels of exposures and maturity in advance.
Photo: Juhan Sonin/Flickr
I’m sure it is necessary to install KidLogger Parental Control software, when you give your child a smartphone. Be sure he is safe and does’t exagerate with games.