Being a single mother is complicated enough, but stressing about your kids’ social media activities can take things out of control. I’ve asked many experts, “When should a kid get a phone?” or use social media. While no one had a specific answer to my question, every expert wanted me to educate my kids on online dangers. I don’t know about you, but my kids aren’t interested in learning that their favorite hobby is dangerous. This situation often pushes me to think if I should start monitoring my kids’ phones.
Personally, I found a lot of mental peace by using parental control apps. So, if you’re a struggling parent as well and don’t know if you should follow your kid online, keep reading!
When should a kid get a phone?
This decision might vary from parent to parent, but I don’t think that kids under 13 should have their phones. Even though some of you will make the argument that giving a phone to an underage kid is for their safety, there is no need to buy them the latest phones. Moreover, even if you do give them a phone, it is best to restrict all apps. Otherwise, they will just get addicted to their devices and learn nothing about socializing.
Practically everyone is addicted to their devices these days. I suggest you delay buying your kid a phone as much as possible. On the other hand, if you live in a rough neighborhood, staying connected with your kid can be necessary. In such cases, you should only allow communication apps on the phone. Everything comes down to how well you regulate tech usage by your kid.
Benefits of kids having a phone
Now, I know I’ve said many things to discourage you from getting your kid a phone, but there are also some plus points. A phone can help in many ways, from learning benefits to safety issues. Here are some details on why you should buy your kid a phone.
- Educational opportunity – offers easy access to learning resources.
- Emergencies – kids can stay connected with you.
- Entertainment – games and movies can keep them fresh.
- Socializing – kids can text their friends and plan more activities together.
These are just some benefits you can expect from your kids having a phone. As long as you limit how much time your child spends on the phone, it can be a decent tool. However, when things get out of control, it can be tricky to deal with your kid.
Disadvantages of having cell phones for kids
The benefits listed above are no doubt convincing. However, I am sure you’ll change your mind about when should a kid get a phone after reading the following list. These disadvantages underscore why you should avoid giving your kids cell phones.
- Cyberbullying – kids often get targeted by motivated individuals.
- Focus issues – entertainment apps can be addictive and steal focus from studies.
- Sleep issues – kids might skip on bedtime to spend more time on their phones.
- Health issues – eye and ear health also suffers when your kid is addicted to their device.
These are just a few things that should discourage you from getting your kid a cell phone. Aside from these problems, many security concerns and privacy issues are linked to cell phones. So, reconsider your decision.
Three thoughts on when should a kid get a phone?
Even if you have decided to get your kid a phone, you should first go through the due diligence. Asking your kids the right question can make all the difference. You should also list why your kid should get a phone. Moreover, it also helps to consider whether or not you’ll be able to keep your kid safe if you get them a phone. Let’s briefly discuss these three thoughts to give you a better idea.
Why consider the timing of getting your kid a Phone?
The first consideration that should come to your mind is the best time to get your kid a phone. Here are some points to help you make up your mind.
- Mental health issues – giving young children mobile devices creates more risk of mental issues like anxiety and depression.
- Socializing problems – giving your kid a phone too late will hinder their ability to make new friends.
- Family complications – kids often get detached from their parents if they get their mobile devices too soon.
- Health problems – Young kids often develop irregular sleep patterns when they get unrestricted access to mobile devices.
For these reasons, you must consider the timing of getting your kid a phone. Being too early or too late will create unnecessary issues for your child. You can also seek help from an expert at your kids’ school to better understand.
Is Your Child Prepared for a Phone?
Now that you know the age range, consider whether your child is prepared for a phone. You can come to a suitable conclusion by asking your kid some straightforward questions. Here is a list of potential questions that you can ask.
- Why does my child need a phone?
- Is my child mature enough to use a phone appropriately?
- Will my child get addicted to social media?
- Is my child educated about online dangers?
- Will my child be able to limit their mobile usage?
- Will my child be cyberbullied?
- Can I monitor my child online?
The answer to these questions ultimately dictates whether your child is prepared for a phone. Even if you get a decent answer to all the questions above, you can’t ignore the importance of monitoring your kid’s activities online. So, be proficient in finding a proper parental control application for your family.
Are You Prepared as a Parent for Your Child to Have a Phone?
Once you’re sure your kid is ready for a phone, you must consider if you can discipline your kid. Here are a few things you should know when to do after your kid gets a phone.
- Use a parental control application.
- Monitor their daily app usage.
- Implement screen time limits.
- Use app blockers.
- Be strict about bedtime.
- Take away your phone during study sessions.
As long as you can keep these factors in check, you’ll be in the green as a parent. Just make sure that you’re not too lenient. Otherwise, your kid will exploit your weakness, and it will only fuel their mobile addiction. So, remain firm and implement strict rules about how your kid is allowed to use their mobile device.
Advice for early phone usage
If you do decide to get your kid a phone at an early age, make them understand that they are not allowed to spend much time on their device. It would help if you could restrict all the apps unrelated to direct communication with the parent. That way, your kid will get bored of their mobile device pretty quickly, and they will only be able to use it for calling or messaging.
Similarly, you should also educate your kid about the dangers of mobile addiction. Make them understand that social applications and similar platforms can harm kids. There have been many cases where online predators will lurk on these platforms to target young children. So, keeping your kid updated about potential issues will help them stay clear of such situations. Moreover, you can also install a parental control app to keep your kids safe.
(Tool) How to keep your child safe on their smartphone?
Using a parental control app like FlashGet Kids, you can keep your child safe on their smartphone. This tool brings many utility features that allow you to monitor and track your child. Here are some of the features that you can expect from this application.
Live monitoring – you can monitor your kid’s surroundings with one-way audio and remote camera features. Moreover, the screen mirroring features will further show you everything on the kids’ devices.
Location tracking – FlashGet Kids brings several location tracking features with real-time tracking, location history, and Geo-fence. So, you’ll always know where your kid goes as long as they have an internet connection.
Managing screen time – This parental control application also offers screen time limits, app blockers, and custom schedules. You can set up routines to help your kid fall asleep at bedtime.
Content filtering – FlashGet Kids will also block all the inappropriate content your kid might access on the internet. You will also get alerts and browsing history when using this parental control application.
These are just some tracking and monitoring features from FlashGet Kids. You can now try this app for free with a 10-day trial. If you like the parental controls, it will just cost you $4.99/mo on the yearly plan.
Conclusion
Knowing when a kid should get a phone is not that easy. You’ll have to consider so many things, from the kids’ maturity level to your monitoring methods. So, before you jump the gun and buy your kid a new phone, go through the details above. Hopefully, you’ll be able to make a decision that is best for you and your kid.
