And as kids get their first smartphones at younger ages, parents are left to fight the battle on the homefront and protect their kids. Industry and policy experts agree — parents should talk to their kids, in an age-appropriate way, about the value of privacy and cultivating a good online reputation. Fortunately, user-friendly technology has become fairly accessible and inexpensive. This makes it easier for parents to control their child’s digital life with devices made just for kids.
For the children above age 13, introducing them to smartphones might be a bigger step. It’s heartening to see so many parents taking this step and accepting the realization that it is now required to set parental controls. This piece takes a look at how parents can help their child through this transition and be sure their child is safe in the always-connected, digital world.
Discussing Online Safety
Parents are strongly advised to have open conversations with their children regarding online safety before handing them their first smartphone. Our kids need to be educated on the risks of posting personal information on public sites. This means being careful with their address, phone number and other private details. These types of conversations build a sense of ownership and understanding of the impact their behavior may have in the digital world.
It’s important for parents to point out that “free” games are rarely free and can have hidden costs like in-app purchases. These can add up fast and lead to hefty surprise fees. Disabling in-app purchases within the device’s settings allows parents to avoid unexpected financial burdens.
“Our 11-year-old daughter ran up a £2400 gaming bill.” – Concerned parent
By taking on these subjects, parents can prepare their kids to confidently and safely chart the Course in today’s challenging digital world.
Setting Up Parental Controls
Both Android and iPhone devices allow children (ages 13+) to set up child accounts. These accounts connect directly to a parent’s account, providing an additional layer of supervision and control. This new feature gives parents control over usage to help them exercise it responsibly. Using these accounts, they can customize search results, block downloads of specific apps, and track screen time.
Parental controls can be configured in the parental control setup wizard, which is available during the device’s first-time setup. Now simply link the device to a parent’s or family’s account! This provides parents a way to keep some control and supervision of their child’s smartphone engagement while still permitting independent exploration in a supervised environment.
For children younger than 13, Apple and Google offer ways to make child accounts, granting similar functionality. These are just a few tools parents can employ to help foster a safer online environment for their children. Simultaneously, they can maintain the positive aspects of smartphone technology.
Choosing the Right Device
When it comes to picking out a smartphone for kids, parents have no shortage of choices across multiple price ranges. Budget Android devices that will work for kids can begin below £100. That’s what makes this program such a wonderful resource for families who want to be financially smart. If you are in the market for an iPhone, the 2022 iPhone SE is coming in at Laptops Direct at £299.
In addition to choosing the right device, parents need to think about protective accessories. You can pick up a rugged OtterBox phone case in Amazon for as little as £20. Meanwhile, a Belkin phone case is selling for as little as £19.99. Funding for these cases can help protect the devices from unintentional wear and tear to hold up to the nature of youth and children’s active lifestyles.
Parents can select sim-only deals which range from £5.99 to £39.99 per month. This practical option allows them to control costs without sacrificing their child’s ability to stay in touch with basic, vital communications.
Financial Management Tools
Beyond just keeping kids safe online, parents should look for financial management tools that encourage responsible spending behavior. The pocket money app GoHenry runs three tiers of membership, starting from £3.99 a month per child. This app gives kids their first debit card, along with tools to create savings goals and a host of other features.
Parents can set limits on where their child can use the valve GoHenry card and track what they’re spending. This educational tool helps kids learn good money habits early on. It helps concerned parents by providing peace of mind about their child’s financial activities.