Tips for smartphone users for children

Kids with smartphones in schools? How advisable is it? We have some great help for you on how to set limits on your children’s smartphone usage. As well as  protect your child and reflect on your own usage.

If your child goes to school alone, you will need to buy them a mobile phone. We have some suggestions that we would like you to consider. For instance a phone with only the basic functions: calls and messages.

The use of mobile phones is common today among children in primary school, and even in pre-school. However, before buying their kid a phone, parents should evaluate whether the child is mature enough. Not to mention a child should not own a phone before the age of 12.

It’s not uncommon for kids, even in primary school, to have modern phones, with advanced features. The problem is for those children who do not have phones. They might feel less valuable because of peer pressure. Another problem is that the mind of a child is developing and technology is not always a good thing.

So, if you let your child to go to school or elsewhere without supervision, they will undoubtedly need a phone. However, it is recommended that you buy the most basic model.  This is all for personal safety reasons. There are dangers online and when a child uses a phone for long periods of time at a time, they can become vague. This vagueness can leave your child at risk.

Go With a Basic Phone

It is best for you to think through whether the phone should even have a camera? There are many other advanced functions that are made to distract the student during school hours.  Not only that but you will need to explain to them the role of the phone: to send and receive message, to call and to be called. What is the schools policy on mobile phones?

Mobile phones are expensive and there are many reasons to consider whether to purchase a smartphone is a good idea. Your child could be robbed, which would be a very unpleasant and traumatic experience.

Primary school children are already getting smartphones, tablets and the like. Is this absolutely unnecessary? Have you spoken to other parents experiences and really thought out the decision? Also, parents should set limits on the new phone. It is advisable to ask the child what they are hoping to use it for and what is their vision? So that everyone is on the same track. Therefore, set limits on kids smartphones usage.

Children are trying to dictate the rules. They make out their parents to be the bad guys if they didn’t buy them something. However, they should be taught about the real meaning behind consumption. People as well as their peers, are judged by who they are and how they behave, not on the basis of what they have.

Children’s Creativity In the Network of Modern Technologies

Children do not experience mobile phones as solely a means of communication. It is good to discuss this with your child if they want to use it to play games.  How they think their life would be improved with a phone. And if they can see any negative side effects?

The path to a creativity starts from games and playing.  The basic game is created in motion, walking, running, jumping. While playing, the child is meeting the world. In playing, the child prepares for life. And this is the most important job of a child. Also face to face connections are confronting and help the child develop socially. Often the easy way out is to simply send a text.

Even Bill Gates Set Restrictions

We all know about the great success of Bill Gates in changing the world in the digital era. He has introduced strict rules of conduct in his home regarding the use of modern technologies.

Bill Gates has three children, two teenagers aged 15 and 18 and one little older – age 21. All of them were not allowed to use smartphones before the age of 14. In their home phones were absolutely not allowed in the dinning room. Have a think about what rules you would like to implement and of course follow yourself.

Gates carefully monitored how his children use phones right before going to bed. He, however, did not go so far as to ask his children to give him their Facebook passwords. But we all know that security on the Internet is a real challenge for today’s parents.

Limit child smartphone users

At the age of 12, it is possible that the child may see a beautiful event that they want to record, some kind of beautiful image they want to take. Then they should be allowed a more modern phone. But beforehand, you should have a serious conversation.. You need to have thought through what you expect. Have researched and watched what other families do. Learn from those who have trod the path before you. You may want to explain to your child that they shouldn’t use the phone to harm anyone. Not to mention posting things on Facebook or YouTube. Everything that is put on line is totally open to all. This will jeopardise the safety and psychological state of their peers and classmates.

Psychologists, however, claim that each child is an individual for themselves and that there is no single opinion about the age when they should get a smartphone. It is necessary to establish the rules for its use, as well as the consequences that will follow if the rules are not respected.

Finally, always keep in mind that modern phones also have the danger of using the Internet without supervision.

Knowledge is Power

We’re all aware that parents will, most of the time, let their children have mobile phones to carry to school. This puts the parents’ minds at ease but, at the same time, exposes the children to the many dangers of modern technology.

Through fun and creative activities, children can learn to use their phones in a way that would benefit them and others.  Important aspects such as how to deal with cyber bullying and many other things. Take a look at the resources that e-safety.gov.au  and let us know if you have any questions, we’d love to help you at Computer Coach Australia.

We provide on to one Computer Technology skills building from basics to advanced. Teach your kids to be productive online and know how to keep themselves safe.

Call Zoe today on 0407 956 071 or send us an email to computercoachaustralia@gmail.com