A parent’s guide to mobile phones

Does your child need a mobile phone?

As a parent ask yourself whether your child really needs a phone. When you start to get pestered for the latest smartphone, what pros and cons should you consider and what do other parents think is the ‘right’ age to say yes. Giving your child a mobile phone can be a difficult decision.

Many separated parents could see the positives of keeping in touch through the mobile phone, whether it was the non-resident parent who could send texts or call the child directly, or the resident parent who felt reassured that their child could keep in touch during contact if they needed to. Some parents liked the idea their child had a safety net and could get in touch easily if they didn’t feel safe at times such as walking home from school or on the school bus

Setting boundaries

Make sure your children understand the rules. Tell them not to answers calls from numbers that they don’t recognise.  Make rules for time spent talking on the phone so you won’t be surprised by big bills or data limits. Check this regularly so you know that they are keeping to the boundaries.  Most schools ban mobile phones in the classroom and will confiscate them if found. Make sure your child is aware of the rules and the consequences.

You can remove the phone in the bedroom at night. Research shows us that children or adults do not sleep as soundly if their phone is sitting by the bed as we are always listening out for that text or phone ring – which makes us tired and less able to concentrate. You may want to ask them not to have their phones around at other times such as mealtimes, or when they are supposed to be doing their homework. This will save arguments and nagging at a later date if the rules are set beforehand.

Ask them to let you know what apps they are downloading and check age restrictions. Consider adding a location app such as find my phone, etc. so you are able to locate the phone if it goes missing.

Before you go out to buy the phone set a price and what you are willing to pay for credit each week/month so that you help to manage their expectations, and they won’t come pestering you for more data if they use it all up in a short space of time.

Mobile phones for teens

Make sure that your teen understands that you need to know that they are safe and expect your calls or texts to be answered. You may want to ensure that there is an app that helps you see their location and locate the phone if it is lost.

Once they reach the teen years you might have to rethink their price plans to include extra data as necessary. Phones are a source of much social interaction so this will avoid you being lumbered with a hefty bill. Make sure they are responsible for checking their bills and accounting for their usage as necessary.

Teens need boundaries too, so make sure that they know that it isn’t acceptable for them to be using their phones at the dinner table etc.  If you have to remove their phones at bedtime because they can’t be trusted, then follow through with this and trust your own gut instinct. Ask them to share what apps they are using.

Mobile phone networks can block adult content as standard even for adults. Phones used on Wi-Fi have no content blocking as this is down to the owner to provide.  In essence, this means that in 99.9% of cases a child can access anything they want via a friend or an open connection. It is a very bad idea for anyone, whether child or adult to connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi.

Parents should ensure that children know exactly what is expected of them in this regard. Ensure that they understand that connecting to the home internet is allowed, but any other sources can only be accessed with permission or as you consider appropriate. If things go wrong or they come across something that makes them feel uncomfortable, encourage them to talk to you about it.