If you have decided that a mobile phone for your child will bring you peace of mind and serve as a safety tool, you aren’t alone. Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, reports that 82% of kids aged 12-15 have a mobile phone, while just under half of 8-11 year olds have one. Even if mobile phones are an increasingly popular choice for children, that doesn’t mean that you should run out and buy that new, trendy mobile phone your daughter wants. Instead, look for a sturdy, inexpensive mobile phone that is suitable for children.
Because of the recent demand for mobile phones for kids, many companies have responded by offering special mobile phone deals and service plans designed for parents and children. Before getting your child a mobile phone, consider the following points.
• Price: Most kids aren’t ready to be responsible for an expensive, fully-featured phone. Choose an inexpensive or free mobile phone since it may be lost or broken.
• Ease of Use: Choose a phone that is simple and easy to use. Young kids have trouble managing a lot of buttons or novel keypads. Some phones designed specifically for kids have only four or five buttons that automatically call preset numbers.
• Number of Minutes: Children aged 8-15 only make an average of 8 mobile phone calls a week, and they usually only send 25 text messages a month. Don’t spend a lot of money on a mobile phone plan that has minutes and features your children will never use. Instead, find a budget mobile phone plan or use a pay as you go plan.
• Parental Controls: More and more mobile phone service providers are offering special parental controls that allow you to restrict what numbers your child’s mobile phone can call or receive, how many minutes the phone can use, and whether or not the phone has access to internet downloads and features. Find a mobile phone plan that has good parental controls and learn how to use them.
The most important thing to remember when giving your child a mobile phone is to monitor the phone carefully. Thanks to mobile phone technology, children are at risk of becoming victims of or participants in cyber bullying, cyber pranks, and mobile phone crime. Talk to your child about responsible mobile phone use and make an agreement that if you give her a phone, she will allow you to browse her calling history or text messages at any time.
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