With one of the best cell phone for kids in hand and a few safety tips, you can help keep your child safe as they communicate via cell phone.
Cell Phone for Kids Safety Tips
If you are planning to get your child a cell phone or if you have held off on getting your child a cell phone because you are concerned about safety, then you can benefit from some of the following safety tips. You can get cell phones for kids that are safer than they average cell phone and when you put some of the following tips into effect you can help keep your child protected from predators and scams.
Cell Phone for Kids Tip #1: Be Informed.
Keep yourself up-to-date with the dangers that your child faces when using a cell phone device, especially if the device supplies Internet access. Technologies change quickly and it is important that you keep aware of such changes so you can keep your child protected. Be willing to talk to your child or children about some of the dangers associated with Internet and cell phone use and keep them educated too.
Cell Phone for Kids Tip #2: Be Restrictive.
The best method of keeping your child safe while using a cell phone device is by placing restrictions on incoming and outgoing phone calls. There are cell phones for kids that allow you to set up who can call in and who the child can call: all other numbers will not function. If you are looking to give your child a way of getting in touch with you or to have a phone outlet in an emergency situation, these types of cell phones for kids are ideal. You will also find cell phones for kids that will help you determine who the child can send text messages to and you can even restrict what information is shared online.
Cell Phone for Kids Tip #3: Get a phone with parental controls.
Never leave a cell phone in the hands of a child that does not have parental controls in place. There are a variety of parental controls on many cell phones for kids today that can help prevent a problem in the future. Avail yourself of every parental control possible to keep your child safe at all times while using a cell phone device.
Cell Phone for Kids Tip #4: Educate the child about cell phone use issues.
When you are asked why the phone has so many parental controls preventing certain behaviors, you will clearly want to educate your child about the issues associated with children and cell phone use. Such issues include things like cyber bullying and sexting. You will want to explain what these issues are and the consequences associated with such activities. You can then explain that the parental controls are put into place so things like sexting and cyber bullying can be prevented.
Cell Phone for Kids Tip #5: Find out what your child already knows.
Having a sit down and asking the child to show you what he or she can do with the cell phone you have given them will show you what your child knows about the phone. Ask the child in a nonchalant manner to show you how to use the phone and ask them how they learned to use all the features that the phone has. Base your parental restrictions on how much you trust the child as well as the child’s capabilities.
More Cell Phone for Kids Safety Tips
Cell Phone for Kids Tip #6: Regularly check your child’s cell phone.
Do not be afraid to check your child’s cell phone on a regular basis. Check incoming and outgoing calls to see the calls received and dialed and check out any photos that may be on the camera which will give you an indication of who is sending/receiving photos and what the photos contain. If you find something that causes concern, question the child about the photos or numbers before taking further action.
Cell Phone for Kids Tip #7: Reiterate to your child “common sense” rules.
While many safety rules may seem like common sense to you, they are not always common sense to a child who can be overly trusting. Reiterate safety rules with your child like the importance of abstaining from communication with strangers, or abstaining from giving out personal information. Give your child examples of what can happen with shared communication that should not be shared.
Cell Phone for Kids Tip #8: Use a software application to track and monitor your child’s cell phone activity.
Use a special software application which will track calls, texts, emails, and communications made from your child’s cell phone device. You can rely on a program like MyMobileWatchdog.com® to track all of your child’s cell phone behaviors and which gives you immediate access to text messages, calls, and emails deemed inappropriate. Mymobilewatchdog.com® operates with all Blackberry® devices as well as all Windows® Mobile devices and smart phones. You also have the option of getting a MyMobileWatchdog.com® device with the program preinstalled on the cell phone device. For more details visit:
http://www.mymobilewatchdog.com.
Cell Phone for Kids Tip #9: Place time restrictions on your child’s cell phone use.
While you want your child to have access to a cell phone device you do not want the child to make a lifestyle out of texting and using the phone. Just as you might limit the amount of time spent watching television, you will want to limit the amount of time a child uses a cell phone device too. There are cell phones for kids that you can restrict the amount of time spent on a cell phone.
Cell Phone for Kids Tip #10: Establish clear, unbreakable ground rules.
If you invest in one of many cell phones for kids and you set up the phone so that it has active parental controls and you find that your child is breaking your rules, make sure the child understands the consequences for doing so. Taking the cell phone away for a time period until the child is mature enough to use it within your established guidelines is one of your rights as a parent. Do not be afraid to enforce the ground rules that you establish.
Safe Cell Phones for Kids
Verizon Wireless LG Migo®
One of the best cell phone for kids is the Verizon Wireless LG Migo®; this device is suitable for children ages 6 to 8 years of age and it costs right around eighty dollars provided you sign up for the 2 year contract with Verizon Wireless®. You can assign as many as five numbers on the phone that the child can call in case of an emergency, but you should also know that the phone can take unlimited incoming cell phone calls. You also cannot choose a different network provider for this phone in the future. You can find out more about the Verizon Wireless LG Migo® at:
http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/lg-migo-vx1000-verizon/4505-6454_7-31641994.html.
Firefly®
Another of the best cell phones for kids is the Firefly® cell phone offered with a Cingular® 2 year contract. The initial cost of the phone is $119.00 and the phone use is $49.99 per month. The Firefly® is equipped with the potential for programming 22 numbers and you can preset the incoming and outgoing calls for the numbers that you approve of. For more details about Firefly®, a phone great for children ages 8 to 10, visit:
http://www.fireflymobile.com/store/
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