Smart Thinking About Smart Phones And Your Child

We take a look at the debate around giving children their own phone/smart phone or tablet.

Almost everyone these days has a mobile phone or some type of smart phone or tablet. And inevitably, more and more children are becoming the owners of these devices. In 2012, forecast sales of media tablets were expected to increase by 98% from 2011 (Gartner, 2012) and 2013 figures have yet to be released.

Parents across Australia have different attitudes towards mobiles, smart phones, tablets and their children. Some parents only provide a phone to their child once they reach a certain age, other parents feel confident giving their five year old a phone so they can call in case of emergency. I know of a family where the 3 year old and the 5 year old were both given new Ipads for Christmas this year.  Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that in 2009, nearly a third (31%) of children aged 5-14 years had their own mobile phones, however for older children (aged 12-14 years) this proportion was much higher (76%). (abs.gov.au, 2013)

So we can see that the trend is growing and that media devices like mobiles, tablets and smart phones are becoming a part of our children’s lives. And with that comes responsibilities, great advantages but some dangers as well.

Some things to consider when thinking about giving your child their own phone/smart phone/tablet:

1. Who will be responsible for the costs associated with the device?
2. What kind of device is necessary?
   1.  Do they need a smart phone with access to the Internet and social media, or is a simple straightforward phone with basic calling/text message function appropriate?
   2. Do they need a tablet for educational purposes or will they use it purely for games?
   3. Are you and your child aware of the risks associated with having a device that can take photos or do video/picture messaging?

Possible Risks

Dr Jim Taylor, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Denver, in an article published on Huffington Post shared his concerns that children can become addicted to these devices. He cautioned that they could become technology dependent and lose some of the initiative to entertain themselves in ways that don’t require a small screen.  (Taylor, 2010)

Generation Next warns of the dangers of cyber bullying and of sexting for example. For children new to these technologies and the Internet, porn sites and other unsuitable content can be easily accessed without the child realizing what they have stumbled upon.

Possible Benefits

Mobile phones/smart phones can be a great way to keep track of your children when they are doing after school activities or at a friend’s house and help with organization and safety of your children.

They can be educational. Some schools are encouraging their students to listen to lessons via podcast, download homework on iTunes and even communicating with other students all over the world

There are some great apps available for children which are educational and fun. The Guardian UK has created a list of the 50 best apps for kids. Click the link for the full list

Some of our top picks from the apps list include:

1. Art my Kid Made
2. Farm 123 – Story Toys Jr which teaches your children about farming and helps them learn how to count.
3. My A-Z – which lets children personalize alphabet flash cards to learn their letters.
4. Counting with the very hungry caterpillar – an educational game with a mathematical focus.
5. Barefoot World Atlas – for children interested in geography and the world around them.

Some tips for parents

• Set Boundaries and Safety Nets.
• Set web filters for the Internet.
• Make sure you know the user name and password for their social networking sites and phone devices.

We like the guidelines that a mother in the US, Janell Burley Hofmann, gave her son when she gave him an iPhone for Christmas. The contract came with over 18 conditions and the phone was considered a loan. Some of the conditions included:

1. Do not text, email or say anything through this device you would not say in person.
2. Hand the phone in at 7.30pm every school night, 9.00pm on weekends and it can be turned on at 7.30am the next day.
3. Turn it off, silence it, and put it away in public.
4. Keep your eyes up, see the world around you. Talk to your class mates rather than texting them.
5. Your parents will always know the password
6. If it rings, answer it. Say hello and use your manners and do not every ignore it if the screen reads, “Mum” or “Dad”.

Read the rest of the conditions

Some Questions for Parents to Consider:

What is your family policy towards mobile phones/smart phones and tablets

Do you have any concerns about your children and these devices?

If you do have some concerns listed below are some great resources to help you:

1. Generation Next
2. McAfee and Life Education – Cyber Education Program

Bibliography:

• Gartner.com  
• Dr Jim Taylor
• The Guardian               
• Janell Burley Hofmann, SMH