After months of begging, you gave in and bought your child their first smartphone. Common Sense Media says 42% of kids have a phone by the time they’re 10. By 14, that number is 91%.
Giving a child a phone opens them up to a whole new world – one they can connect with any time, from anywhere. That can be a great thing, but every parent knows that also comes with a big responsibility.
To help your child navigate their new independence and to give you some peace of mind, here are five simple smartphone tips:
Start with the basics
Create an open dialogue with your child. Start by asking them what they already know and build from there. Things like phone safety features and how to create an ICE (in case of emergency) contact. This way, if they have an emergency, first responders will know who to call.
Set boundaries
Start good habits early. Having a few pre-determined and accepted rules for when and where your child can be on their device is key. Consider a “no phone” dinner or “phone free” time to create more family time.
Additionally, activating parental controls can help enforce screen time limits if rules are not followed. On AT&T ScreenReady, you can create a personalized family media plan to help set media priorities that matter most to your family.
Digital privacy & safety
You may want to opt out of things like location sharing on apps or allowing those apps to post to social media sites. The same goes for video games. You can use a combination of tools like privacy settings and flagging inappropriate content in your conversations about online behavior. You can also turn on browser filters, which will block explicit images, videos, and websites.
Etiquette
Appropriate use of a cell phone in today’s world requires responsibility and forethought like never before. Have a conversation with your child about different scenarios that could arise. For example, snapping and sharing photos at a swim…
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