Is a phone at the top of your
child’s Christmas list? You’re not alone. The age where kids get their first
phone is getting lower and lower, so it’s no wonder it’s one of the most
popular gifts among children and teens.
But owning a phone is a big
responsibility - even some adults can’t handle it! Phones open up a whole new
world, which is why it’s important your child stays safe when using theirs.
Like getting a pet or a new bike, you need to teach your child to be
responsible with their exciting new gift.
From teaching them to be safe
online to making sure they don’t spend your money, there is a lot to consider
when buying your child a phone. Take a look at the following tips to make sure
this top gift is the best present for your child this Christmas.
Make sure they’re really ready
While your child might think they
want a phone, they might not necessarily be ready for one. According to
Internet Matters, most
parents allow their kids to have a phone at 10 years of age. But as you
know, every child is different. You know the maturity of your own child, but if
they’re quite clumsy and forgetful, then you might want to think twice about
handing an expensive item to your child.
For parents, mobile phones can be
a good way to stay in touch with your children. When they head to high school,
it can be reassuring to get in touch with them if they’re going to be late home
from school.
There’s also the internet to
consider, as a child will be able to use the internet on their phones wherever
they are, unsupervised. Letting them use a tablet at home for a while first can
help prepare your child and you for using the internet responsibly.
If, for any reason, you still
don’t feel comfortable with your child having a phone, delay the process for
another six months - you could revisit the conversation around their birthday
or in the summer holidays instead!
Don’t buy the latest model
When buying a phone, you don’t want
to rush out and buy them a top of the range model, costing £1,000+. Instead,
opt for something more affordable that can fit into your budget easier. There
are options to buy used or refurbished mobile phones, which still allow them to
access great features.
For a first phone, you won’t want
to go crazy. If your child can show that they can look after their phone, then
you can consider upgrading their phone.
A phone is an expensive purchase
for you, so you’ll want to think about financing it. You could buy a phone
outright with a pay as you go SIM, or pay monthly to make it more affordable in
the short-term. There are some great family mobile plans
you might want to consider to help you save money on multiple phone contracts.
Get insurance
While insurance is an added
expense that comes with a mobile phone, it’s worth it should something happen
to your child’s phone. A new screen can cost anywhere from £60 upwards, while
loss or theft will require shelling out for a brand new phone.
You can get some great phone
insurance deals to keep your costs down. Many banks offer tech cover as a perk
for being an account holder, so you should check to see if your bank offers
this service. Don’t take the chance - get your child’s device insured.
Set ground rules
It’s a good idea to set some
ground rules for your child, helping to stop bad habits from forming. Some good
rules to get you started include:
- Setting out what their plan
involves - how many messages, calls, etc. Make it clear that they shouldn’t go
above any allowances.
- The same goes for data - make
sure they’re aware of their data limit and make sure the phone’s settings
prevent them from rolling over. You could even make it so that they need to ask
permission before they download something.
- Set rules for using the phone
within social situations. No phone at the dinner table, not using it when
there’s company, etc. You can set the rules according to how you see them, and
make sure you follow the same rules at home too.
It’s important that you enforce
these rules to help your child become a responsible phone user. Put penalties
in place for breaking the rules, including confiscating
the phone.
Teach them about online safety
The most vital thing to consider
when it comes to your child getting a smartphone is teaching them about online
safety. It’s important that they’re made aware of the dangers of the internet
and how to use it responsibly.
Some top
tips for keeping children safe when using mobile phones include teaching
them how to keep their personal information private, what apps are safe and how
to browse safely online. Make it clear that they can come to you if they have
any questions or concerns, at any time. You should trust your child, but keep a
watchful eye on their activities too.
It helps if you stay up to date
with online safety too. Stay clued up on the latest scams and online threats so
that you can teach your child to stay safe too.
Protect your payments
It’s a lot easier to put controls
in place for phone payments. Years ago, it was easy for kids to make purchases
via their parents’ app store accounts and rack up a huge bill. Luckily, you can
disable in-app purchases to make it simple to stop unprecedented spending. If
your child wants to purchase something, they’ll need to ask you first.
Talk to them about cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is a serious
problem amongst children, which is why it’s essential that you talk to them
about it. While you can protect
your child from cyberbullying, you should also make sure that it’s not your
child doing the cyberbullying. Teach them about how words can be hurtful, even
if they’re anonymous or behind a screen.
Children can experience a number
of mental health issues, with cyberbullying being a key factor. You should look
out for behavioural changes as well as any signs that something isn’t right. If
you suspect that your child
is being cyberbullied, intervene as soon as possible. Cyberbullying can
have some serious consequences, so the sooner you put an end to it, the better
for you and your child. It’s worth reading some of the lessons learned during
this year’s Children’s
Mental Health Week to help you understand more about social media and your
child.
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