If you’re like most parents, you’ve probably been pestered for months or even years to buy your child a smartphone. Every kid wants their own mobile device ASAP these days and they can be relentless when pursuing their goals in this area.
If the time has come and you feel your child is ready for the responsibility, it’s not as simple as choosing a product, inserting a SIM card and letting them go on their way.
Here are some key things to consider when setting up your child with their first smartphone to limit some of the usage risks such devices can bring.
Create a budget for the purchase
To begin with, it is advisable to create a budget for the purchase. Decide how much you are comfortable shelling out for the product and how much you can afford, and let your child know. You may want to buy a phone on a plan or buy it up front; Either way, set your budget ahead of time to help avoid fights with your child over what item they get and why.
If they’re old enough to have their own part-time job, you might also want to tell them a dollar figure you’ll contribute, and then tell them that if they want something more expensive, they’ll have to pay for it themselves. of his own earnings.
Consider going for a cheaper product
Regardless of affordability, it’s also worth considering how trustworthy your child is in keeping and maintaining their possessions. While they might ask for the newest iPhone or some other popular smartphone, you might want to go for a much more affordable item that won’t be too much of a problem to beat if they forget where they left you on the bus, playground, at stores, in the park, etc.
Younger children, in particular, are often better off with simple, inexpensive phones as an introduction. You might want to see how long they manage to keep track of your phone and prevent it from getting damaged before you decide whether or not to upgrade to something more expensive. This quiz can also be a great way to introduce your children to the concept of taking care of their items and not feeling indifferent to them.
Make a list of features you need and don’t need
Below, it’s beneficial to list the various features you want your child to have access to on a smartphone, and the ones you don’t want or think they don’t need. Sure, you want them to be able to call or text you and others to begin with, but what else could you want them to use or learn? For example, do you want them to be able to surf the Internet, access email, buy music or books, or play games? What about social media platforms and other apps?
Younger children usually only need the basics, while teenagers will be very interested in having access to the white car and will generally be better able to handle this as well. Note that you can set mobile data usage limits and take advantage of parental controls to help limit risks and put your mind at ease. Once you know the features on the “must have” list, it will be easier for you to decide on a phone when you shop.
Train your child in the use of his device and do it safely
Lastly, be sure to train your child on how to use their device, especially if they are still relatively young and haven’t used smartphones much yet. Show them how to use all the basic items they will be able to use and set them up with a list of contacts for emergencies and other instances.
Another key point to keep in mind is keeping safety and security in mind. Cybercriminals are continually finding ways into systems and networks, and smartphones are no different. You must protect your child’s identity, financial information on the phone and the accounts they sign in to, and other sensitive details.
So it pays to buy comprehensive smartphone security software that includes quality ID security and have your child use strong passwords on the mobile device and all their online accounts. Also, talk to your child about their digital footprint and how it is created and can be used by pedophiles or other criminals and criminals.
You should also make sure your phone software is updated when new versions are released, and for older kids, it’s a good idea to have a discussion with them about some common hacker scams they should be aware of.
Finally, getting permission to have your own smartphone is a big deal for kids, but it’s important not to rush to say yes and follow the steps above to help ensure the purchase is beneficial now and in the future.
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Categories: Technology
Source: vtt.edu.vn