What Age Should a Child get a Cell Phone

Things to Know Before Buying a Mobile to Your Kid

when should you buy your child child a smartphone

Kids and parenting tips:

Every year, at about some time, parents would determine if their child will be ready for a Smartphone.

Many children will return to school after the summer holidays with their new phone. Most of them do not have parental controls and instructions.

As a result, there are more and more incidents of bullying, depression and sex torsion. A mobile phone can be a great gift with many educational and entertainment opportunities, but it can also open them up to a world where they may not be ready.

Once you give your child a Smartphone, you cannot go back. Before buying a phone, ask yourself the following questions:

Things to Know Before Giving a Smartphone to Your Child

Why does My Child Need a Mobile Phone?

what is a good age for a kid to have a phone

Knowing why your child wants a phone will give you an idea of what motivates him to want a cell phone.

Is it because they want to use a certain application that their friends use? If this is the reason, find out about the app and determine if age is appropriate for your child. You do not want to give them a phone for the same reason, they are not allowed to use it.

If they beg a phone, because all the other kids have one, then do not believe them. Unless they are over 16, they probably say that to make you sing emotionally.

Have I told My Child about Pornography?

tips for parents before giving mobile phone to your child

If you think your child is too young for this conversation, then he is not ready for a phone.

The Internet has made pornography easier to access. A new report suggests that children as young as 8 have admitted to being addicted to Internet pornography.

If you want to give a mobile phone to your child, you must be ready to fall on pornographic sites at some point, even when Parental Control is activated.

Inappropriate content always finds a way to get through.

Is My Child Aware of Cyber-Bullying?

does your child need a smartphone

Social media has brought cyber-bullying to an increasingly dangerous level. 

Children as young as 11 years old feel suicidal because of bullying.

Only one in 10 victims would tell their parent if they are being abused online.

Parents have a conversation with your child about cyber-bullying, why is it dangerous to do it on someone else, and what if it happens to your child?

You must talk to your kids about suicide and tell him what he can do if his friends feel suicidal. It is important that they never know how to encourage anyone to hurt themselves, even if they were joking about it.

so many children with mental health problems, giving unsupervised access to a smartphone can exacerbate the situation. If you think your child is not ready for such a conversation, do not give him a phone.

Is My Child Aware of Sexting?

what is the right age to give your child a smartphone

Sexting is sending text and sexual images to another person.

In Scotland, if your child is under 18, sending and distributing nude pictures is considered a crime.

It is essential that parents understand that sexting is common among teenagers. A study conducted by Pediatrics found that one in five children aged 10 to 15 years was sexting.

Tell your children that once the image is sent, it can not be recovered. If a message becomes viral, it can follow your kid for many years.

If you think you are not ready to talk to your child about sexting, wait until you give him a phone until he is ready for such conversations.

Is My Child Aware of Sexual Predators and Sextortion?

when should your child get a smartphone

Inform your kids about the possibility of meeting strangers online. Tell them that people tend to pretend to be someone they are not.

Predators pose as teenagers on social media. It is easier for them to meet and prepare children. The tactics they use is to constantly compliment your child and flatter them.

Once, they created a climate of trust with children and predators manipulate them to send them nude photos of themselves. They can then request more images with the threat of exposing them.

According to one survey "one in five children aged 10 to 17 reported having received unwanted sexual solicitations online, ranging from suggestive comments to strangers asking them to meet them in the real world for sex".

Equip your children with safety measures. Instead of telling them not to talk to strangers, tell them why.

Show them articles and videos on how sex predators target children. To tell them that there are monsters behind the screen is not comfortable for many parents. But if you want to give them a smartphone, you cannot ignore this topic.

Did My Child Agree to be Monitoring?

mobile security tips for every parent

Make it clear to your child that you are not monitoring his goal with the purpose of protecting him from the online dangers described above.

Using parental control apps, you'll be able to monitor what your kids are doing and check if the rules they've been given have been applied.

Has My Child Agreed to Sign a Telephone Contract?

why not to give your child a phone

A contract can help your children understand the rules associated with owning a cell phone. They will be responsible if they break the rules.

The contract must be written and agreed before the purchase of the phone.

A list of rules would be included in the contract, such as:

1. Screen time rule. For example, how many hours a day are allowed and only after the completion of certain tasks.
2. No screen at the time of during family meals.
3. Type of applications or apps allowed to be downloaded.
4. Instead of printing and signing a ready-made contract template, customize it according to your priorities. Sit with your child and negotiate the contract together. This will help the children understand the meaning of the contract and what is asked of them.

Does My Child Know the Basic Safety Rules Online?

tips before giving mobile to your kid

Errors are inevitable, no matter how many warnings and reminders about online security you can put in place. However, it is important to talk about what they can or cannot do online.

Here are some ideas your children should know:

1. DO NOT talk to strangers online. Regardless of social media, games, and applications
2. DO NOT share private information. This includes home address, school, phone number, and passwords.
3. Do not post anything that could hurt others.

Is My Child Ready for Social Media?

how to protect your child from smartphone

If your child is under the age of 13, they should NOT appear on social media platforms, including WHATSAPP.

If your child is over 13, talk to them about social media etiquette.

Here are some tips to start the conversation:

1. Think before posting
2. Do not post anything that could hurt others
3. Determine how they want to be seen on social media. Employers and colleges will review their profile
4. Take the online presence seriously because it will determine their reputation
5. Get up for someone who is being bullied. Report bullying to an adult.

Is My Child Mature and Responsible?

when is the right age to buy your child a smartphone

It is difficult to say at what age a child should have a mobile phone. You will need to examine the characteristics of your child and decide if he has a sense of responsibility and maturity.

To prepare them for the online world, they need more than just explaining how to navigate. Guide them every step of the way to be ready for anything visible or read online.

Teach them to use technology wisely so that they can exploit the benefits and be creative.

As scary as it may sound to give your child a smartphone, it can also be a source of education with endless possibilities. Do not just give them the phone, but be with them in the online world to show them how incredible this can be.

If you think your child is not ready for a smartphone but you need to be able to contact him, consider buying a flip phone.

Read More

How to Set Up Android Phone For Kids

How to Set Up an Android Phone for a Child

set up android phone for child

Kids and parenting tips:

Set Up Android Phone For Kids

All children want their own smartphones or tablet and they are getting younger and younger. If this makes you nervous as a parent, do not worry. There are many settings and tools to make sure your child uses his phone safely and to keep you in control even when you cannot watch what he's doing.

best ways to set up your kid's Android phone:

Use Google's Family Link

set up android phone for kid

Children must be a certain age before they can have a Google Account. In most countries, they must be at least 13 years old.

Parents often avoid this problem by creating an account for their children using a fictitious age. It works, but violates Google's terms and conditions and may eventually cause them to suspend or close the account.

To solve this problem, Google recently introduced a service called Family Link. It allows parents to create and manage accounts for their pre-teen children, but it has two severe limitations:

You and your child will need a phone running Android 7.0 or later (a very limited number of Android 6.1 devices are also supported). It also works on iOS.

But now It is only available in limited countries.

If you are eligible on both counts, Family Link is the way to go. Parents can use it to remotely control which apps their kids are using, what they can look for online, how many hours they use their devices every day, and how to lock the phone at night, etc.

How to Set up a Family Link

how to set parental controls on android

To get started, download the Family Link app from the Play Store. Click on the first screens, then create a Google Account for your child when prompted. You will need to check your payment method during this process. A fee of 0.30 USD will be charged to your credit card, which will be canceled upon confirmation.

Log in now to your kid's phone account and install Family Link as well. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the configuration.

Once you're done, you can use Family Link to:

parental controls for android cell phones

Approve app downloads, which means that you will be prompted to allow or deny all apps your kid wants to install.

Limit screen time by setting a daily usage tolerance in 30-minute increments.

Set a bedtime, after which the phone will not work anymore.

Monitor your child's app activity with weekly reports and temporarily disable apps he uses too much.

Set up child-friendly filters to limit the number of apps, games, and movies they can download, as well as to apply safe searches in Chrome.

parental control android

Family Link only works for children under 13 years old. When your child turns 13, they will be able to take control of their own accounts. You may need to start using some of the options below. For a good guide, learn how to protect your kid's Android phone with Google Family Link.

Play Store Parental Control

If your kids are 13 years old or older, or if you cannot use Family Link, you'll need to use the built-in parental controls on the Play Store.

This allows you to limit the number of applications, games, movies, and TV shows your child can download, depending on their age. Books and magazines can also be restricted by a secure search filter (which may not be 100% foolproof), and music called Explicit is also prohibited.

To set up parental controls, open the Play Store app, go to Settings> Parental Controls, and switch the switch to On. You will now be prompted to configure a four-digit PIN.

how to put parental controls on android phone

Then, click each content type and set an age limit, or turn on the explicit filter, and then click Save when you're done. Your child will not be able to buy or play items that do not fall within these parameters.

You apply parental controls on individual phones and tablets, rather than on the account. If your children have multiple devices, you will need them on each one.

Parental Controls on Google Chrome

To protect your child from the darker corners of the web, you can apply the secure search filter to his web browsing. This works mainly in Chrome, where they will be connected. If your child uses a third-party browser, this setting will not necessarily apply.

To enable it, open the Google app. Go to the Settings page, and select Settings> Accounts and Privacy. Now set the Safe Search option to Active.

parental controls on google chrome

Share Content with the Family Library

Family Library is a service that lets everyone in your home manage their own Google Account, but share paid apps and content from the Play Store. You can also share a single payment method.

This means you do not have to buy the same apps or movies more than once.

You can do it selectively. So, if you have things you do not want your kids to have access to, you do not have to share them. It also means that your children can use your credit card to purchase products through the Play Store, but you must approve each purchase.

To begin:

parental controls for android cell phones

In the Play Store, select Account> Family> Register for Family Library.

Choose the payment method you want to share with your family.

When prompted to share your content, select Add All or One by One.

Finally, invite your family members to join your group by adding their Gmail addresses when prompted. Everyone will have to accept the invitation.

By default, all family members under the age of 18 (based on their Google Account age) will need to be approved each time they try to buy something. You will receive a notification on your phone to authorize or refuse the purchase. This also applies to in-app purchases.

Parental Controls on YouTube

YouTube is attractive to young people. This is often the most requested area, the starting point for problem-solving, ranging from makeup tutorials to recipes, cartoons and Minecraft guides.

YouTube is also a little Wild West, in some ways unregulated and full of content that you probably do not want your child to learn. You can opt for YouTube Kids, but even if it's not really safe, you should at least fix it.

Parental Controls on Youtube

To Find Content Controls on YouTube

1. Open the YouTube app
2. Tap your profile photo at the top right and tap Settings
3. Then press General
4. Then switch to restricted mode
5. Again, Google states that this is not 100% accurate, but it will mean that some content flagged as inappropriate will not be displayed.

In addition, like the search, nothing prevents this setting from being disabled by the child user.

Replace YouTube with YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids

Nowadays, most children live on YouTube, but there is a lot of content you would not want them to fall on. For very young children, you can replace the YouTube app with YouTube Kids, a friendly, family-friendly alternative for families with the selected content.

Start by deactivating YouTube by selecting Settings> Apps> YouTube and pressing Disable. This will hide the app icon so your child can not access it.

Now, install YouTube Kids in its place. Thanks to the settings of this app, you can enable or disable search, limit the amount of time your children can watch, and report inappropriate videos that have accidentally crept in.

If your children are too old for this, you can set the standard YouTube app to restricted mode. This hides videos posted by other users as containing adult or inappropriate content. They could also be algorithmically filtered too.

To turn it on, open YouTube and tap the Account icon at the top right of the screen. Now go to Settings> General and switch the restricted mode selector.

Track Your Children

google find my device

Giving a Smartphone to your child gives you the opportunity to keep an eye on where it is when he (or you) is not at home. This can give you real peace of mind and you can do it very easily using Google's Find My Device service.

The service is primarily designed to follow a lost phone. But if you have access to the Google Account on your child's phone, you can use it to see where they are. Of course, they must have the phone with them and an active data connection is required.

If you use Family Link with your under 13s, you'll already have access to their Google Account details since you've set up yourself. You can simply log in using any web browser to find them.

At a certain age, you will have to start balancing privacy and security, and you may want to have full access to your children's Google Accounts. A simple solution is to create a brand new account for the sole purpose of using the tracking feature, should the need arise?

You can use the same account for all your children. Simply create the account and set it up on their phones via Settings> Accounts> Add Account.

Then log on to a desktop and go to google.com/android/device manager. You will be able to see where they are. You can also install the application to monitor it.

More Android Parental Control Apps

Want even more ways to see how your children use their phones? There are many more in the Play Store. To get started, take a look at our selection of the best parental control apps for Android, as well as the best tool and apps for tracking kids.

In addition, applications like Timeout, Screentime can help them break free from the addition of Snapchat, youtube, and Whatsapp, etc while Hold app encourages less phone use and more concentration at school.

And do not forget that when you set up your kids' phones, no management solution is perfect. Family Link is the best option, but they can work around the rest one way or another: delete the PIN code from the Play Store, use a different browser to avoid secure search settings, and so on.

Read More

Safety Rules For Your Kids You Should Teach

Safety Rules You Should Teach Your Child

safety rules for kids at home

Kids and parenting tips:

Are you constantly worried about the safety of your child? Do you think it's important to set some safety rules for your child both inside and outside the home?

If you are wondering how to do it, we have the solution for you. Keeping your kids safe at all times involves constant monitoring by an adult. It also means implementing some important changes and rules that ensure the well-being of your child. Read below to find out how you can teach safety rules for kids.

Best Safety Rules For Kids in Home

As a parent, you may still want to be around your kids. But that is not possible. You must let your child go out without you. There are places where your child will meet other people in your absence, for example at school. Your child may also need to be at daycare or at home with a nanny. It is also important to prepare your child for basic safety measures in an emergency.

what are some safety rules for kids

Know Your Name, Number, and Address:

Know Your Name, Number And Address

Your child maybe small, but it is important to teach basic contact information, such as name and the phone number of you and your partner. Your child should be able to share your phone number with someone in an emergency. In addition, it is also important to know where the house is and any nearby landmarks. Help your child memorize them by practicing regularly at home. Also, help your child memorize an emergency number to call, such as a grandparent, uncle or aunt.

Do Not Eat Anything Given by a Stranger:

Do Not Eat Anything Given By A Stranger

You must explain to your child the dangers of eating food given by a stranger. No matter the temptation of the treat, if it comes from a stranger, your child should not eat it. Teach your child that it is dangerous to accept someone's food. Ask them to politely refuse if someone offers them food without your consent or in your absence.

Do Not Leave Your Children Alone in the Water:

Do Not Leave Your Kids Alone In The Water

Kids love to swim in the water, whether it's a bathtub or a pool. Although this is a fun time, accidents such as drowning can happen in pools or lakes. Make sure the water level does not exceed your child's height when placing it in a bathtub or sink. Never leave your children unattended, even for a second when the phone rings or the doorbell rings. Give your children strict instructions so they do not grow while enjoying a dip in the pool.

Small Items Should be Kept Away From Children:

Small Sized Items must be kept away from Kids

Children can usually, choke if they play with small toys or food items such as whole almonds. Be sure to divide the food into small portions to avoid choking. Be careful when giving grapes, candies, carrots, nuts, popcorn, and some other playing objects to your child as they can also cause choking. Be sure to keep buttons, coins, earrings, pins, or marbles out of the reach of your children, as they can also be a choking hazard.

Do not Play or Run Near the Street:

kids safety rules at road

We are all in favor of children playing outside in the fresh air, but they should do it safely. Children should avoid playing near busy roads and should never run in the streets. This is another important rule of road safety for children. You never know when a car arrives at full speed, and if they are busy playing, they will not pay attention to the vehicle that arrives.

Lock the Car Door During a Trip:

Lock the car door during a journey

Children may be curious and play in a car, especially if they are bored on a long trip. You do not want them to open the door by accident and collapse! It only takes a second and can mean a safe car ride. Teach your children to lock the door and not play with the locks when the car is driving.

Do Not Climb the Fence:

Do Not Climb The Fence

Your child maybe playing the ball and suddenly he bounces into space inside a fence. Teach your child to never try to recover something by climbing a fence. If this happens, your kids should seek help from an adult but never approach a fence.

Cover All Electrical Outlets and Wires at Home:

electrical safety rules for kids

Protect your home from all types of electrical shocks by protecting electrical outlets that you may not be using at the moment with plastic covers. Throw out the electric gadgets or repair the damaged electrical cords. Insulate the wires or fix them using a box to cover them. Teach your kids the dangers of electric shocks and tell them they should not touch any with wet hands.

At Home, Be Careful in the Kitchen:

kids safety rules in the kitchen

Kitchens are full of knives, electric utensils, open flames, and hot pans - so the kitchen is a potential source of household accidents. If you are cooking, you may not be aware of what your children are doing. To avoid this, teach your children to never play in the kitchen and to consider cooking as a place to be careful. Make sure knives are out of reach of the kitchen and securely fastened when not in use. Turn all cooking utensils and handles so they do not come out of the stove and cannot be knocked over. And disconnect all electrical devices when not in use.

Do not Walk Alone in the Yard:

Do Not Walk Off The Yard Alone

Similar to the point above, your child should know that it is not allowed to go out alone from his yard. If your child needs to go out for anything, you or a well-known an adult should accompany him/her at all times.

Do Not Allow to Play With Fire:

don't let them play with fire

Whether you are at home or not, your child should know that it is absolutely forbidden to play with fire. Only if you are around and have given your permission can your child be near the fire. Make sure all fire exits are out of reach of children.

Never Go Anywhere With a Stranger:

don't go with a stranger

Your child should know that, whatever the reasoning, it is not safe to go anywhere with a stranger. Tell your child that if a stranger tells them something like, "Your mother asked me to come with me immediately," they should stay where they are and ask for help. Make sure that in an emergency, you will always send a family member, such as a grandparent or aunt, with your child and not with a stranger.

Keep All Chemical Products and Detergents Out of Your Children:

keep chemical products away from your kid

All cleaning products contain chemicals that make it highly toxic if ingested. You can make your home child-proof by getting on all fours to make sure there are no cleaning products in and around the rooms your children can reach. Install doors on all your cabinets and close them after each use. Never store these detergents in food containers or near kitchen shelves, as your children may confuse these foods with food.

No one is Allowed to Touch Your Child's Body:

No One Is Allowed To Touch Your Kid’s Body

This is a very important safety rule for children and you should teach it as soon as your child understands the basics. Teach on good touch and bad touch. Tell your child that no one is allowed to touch him, except Mom and sometimes Dad, if necessary. If someone else has touched your child, he or she should immediately call for help and alert people.

If You Get Lost, Stay Where You Are:

If You Get Lost, Stay Where You Are

If your child is getting lost, tell them it is important that they stay where they are. If they see another mother with children nearby, they can ask her for help. Your child should stay indoors and not go out even with the other mother. Supermarkets are the most places where children get lost. Tell your child that he can go to the store counter and tell the person that he is lost.

Do Not Share the Address and Details of the Phone With Stranger (Except in Case of Emergency):

safety rules for kids Do Not Share Details With strangers

Your child should know that it is dangerous to share personal information such as phone numbers, addresses, email identifiers or images with strangers. Any shared information should only be with your consent or in your presence.

Safety When Playing With a Pet:

safety rules for kids while Playing with a Pet

Pets are very affectionate, but some of your children's actions, such as pulling the tail or ear can make them shit. Teach your children to be gentle with the animals and to refrain from playing difficult games with this one. Tell them not to go near the dog when eating, or try to remove a treat from him or pull it out of his mouth. Warn your child to stay away from the animal, who grunts or shows his teeth, as this may hurt him.

If I'm Uncomfortable, I Will Not Do It:

No matter what your child may be asked to do, if it makes him feel uncomfortable, your child should NOT do it. It could be something as simple as undressing in front of other people and diving into a residential pool. If your child is uncomfortable, no matter how many friends, your child should not do it at all.

It is important to inform your child of these basic safety rules as soon as he is able to understand. There are some things you can start teaching your child as early as age three. Make sure to talk to your child in a language appropriate to your age. Also, always keep communication open.

Read More