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In the modern-day, getting your first phone is a right of passage. Research shows that the average age to get one is 10 years old. Many times, owning a phone is a lifesaver, but it can also put your kids in a dangerous situation if not used properly. Before you buy a phone for them, here are 4 smartphone safety tips for kids.
Who You Gonna Call?
The main feature of a phone is its ability to make calls. When your kid gets a phone, you need to make sure that they know every important number to call in case of an emergency.
The first number a kid should know is their own. If they ever misplace or need to identify their phone, knowing their phone number comes in handy. A phone’s number can be found in its settings or contact list.
Apple: Phone app > Contacts > My Card
OR
Settings > Phone > My Number
Besides their own, kids should also know their home number (If you still own a landline), as well as their parents’, siblings’, and family friends’ numbers.
You should also teach your child that the most important number to call in emergencies is 911.
Other Numbers to Know:
- Local hospital
- Local police station
- Local fire department
Obviously, it is difficult for anyone to remember all of these numbers. To make the task easier for your child, you can set the most important and used numbers to speed dial or add them to a favorites list.
You should also indicate who your child or authority (such as a teacher, officer) should call in the case of an emergency with this indicator: I.C.E., or In Case of an Emergency
Example: I.C.E MOM
Stranger Danger When your kid gets a phone, you need to teach them the importance of keeping personal information private because of stranger danger.
A child should never share their number, passwords, or pictures with anyone they do not know and trust because that information can easily be used against them.
At the same time, teach your child not to contact strangers either. Even though such things as prank calling sounds like fun and games, it can land them in trouble because someone on the other line now has their number.
Defend Your Device
This tip is more about physically protecting your child’s phone.
First, make it clear to your child that their phone is not a toy, and it is actually an expense that requires a responsible owner. This means their phone should not be thrown around, traded amongst friends, or neglected on the playground because it will probably cost you to get it back.
Because kids are clumsy and messy, it is strongly recommended to buy them drop-proof and water-resistant accessories so they do not break their phone.
You should also teach your child when it is appropriate or not appropriate to use their phone. Kids should not use their phones in a classroom setting or a large crowd at school because there is a high chance that the phone can be lost or stolen.
Download Overload
Kids can get carried away with downloading fun ringtones, backgrounds, music, and games. Even though most of these downloads targeted towards kids are harmless, you still need to keep an eye out for what your child has on their phone.
One reason why is because it can save you from losing money. Many free apps have in-store purchases, which means that your child can make purchases directly to your bank card.
Another reason to watch what your child downloads is because many apps do not always have age-appropriate content, such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Thankfully, specific settings allow you to monitor what apps your child is using, as well as set limits as to how long they can use an app and enable in-store purchases.
One important app that should be downloaded on their phone as well as yours is Life360. Life360 allows you to monitor your child’s location in real-time. The app allows you to see when they are at school, on their way home, and have made it to their destination safely.
Be Smart When Using a Smartphone
Giving your child a phone is very beneficial because it is an immediate way to keep in touch with each other. Apple makes great tools that help with tracking and using their devices. These apps will help make sure that you can set bounderies and keep tabs on your chile and their usage. If you fail to establish boundaries, help develop a healthy relationship with technology, and teach phone safety, your child can get themselves in trouble.
