Mobile phones and other devices have essentially taken over the world. Billions of people are using them, and most adults around the world have a mobile phone of some kind. Even children are getting phones and other mobile devices earlier than ever before. In fact, more than half of American children have a cell phone by the age of 11, with many getting one even years earlier.
However, before you get your child a phone, it is important to make some considerations. Chief among them is to make sure they can stay safe. With that in mind, this blog post is going to go over a few ways to help your child stay safe on their mobile device.
Keep Tabs on What They Do
As much as you want to trust your child to do the right thing with their new phone, kids simply aren’t that responsible. As a result, you need to do your best to make sure they are using their phone safely. A great way to do this is to use an app like Phone Tracker.
Apps like this let you see the contacts, GPS, and apps of a phone. Be aware that these apps aren’t hidden, and be sure to let your child know that you are doing this. It will help keep them safe, while also allowing them to earn your trust over time when it comes to having a phone.
Now, this doesn’t mean you should use these types of apps to spy on your child at all times of the day. However, they can help you check in on them, as well as make sure they are using the device responsibly. Of course, be sure to teach them good habits, but apps like these allow you to make sure they are practicing those good habits.
Teach Them Responsible Browsing
One of the primary functions of a smartphone or mobile device today is browsing the internet. There are a million different things you can do using the internet on a phone. This goes from watching videos, to reading articles, to using social media. Whatever your child is doing on the internet on their phone, you need to teach them to do it responsibly.
Teach them the dangers of posting private information online, the dangers of clicking unknown links, how to stay safe on social media and so much more. Also, you should have a chat with them about what is appropriate for them to do and search on the phone, as well. Having these talks is important so they can learn how to use the internet responsibly, as it will likely be a big part of their lives for decades to come.
Make Sure They Have All Necessary Numbers
While a phone can be a great way for a child to have some fun and learn a thing or to, it’s primary use is to keep them connected. As a result, you need to make sure all the needed phone numbers are installed on their device.
Most children won’t be able to remember more than one or two, so having some installed is a good idea. Provide them with the numbers of their parents, their siblings, grandparents, and potentially other family members or close friends.
Also, make sure to tell them not to answer if it’s not one of these contacts and tell them they should only call their contacts, and not random numbers. In a similar vein, make sure their device is always charged up before they go out. Preparation ahead of time can make sure your child can safely and easily use their phone if an emergency comes up.
In conclusion, the aforementioned tips will help ensure that your child is able to stay safe while using a mobile device. Mobile devices can open up a world of possibilities for kids, but you need to make sure they can stay safe at the same time.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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