The past few months have been quite the experience for me. Each month I got to speak to a small gathering of people in my neighborhood about mobile safety and how to keep their children safe in these digital times. As time moves forward, our kids keep getting more and more immersed in all things tech. My daughter has been asking for a cell phone since she turned 5 last month, and while I have told myself that she won’t get one til she is 16… I know that the average age is about 12. Soon enough, I’ll be telling her the do’s and don’ts of mobile safety.
AT&T has issued some great tips for the modern day family… tips that I not only encourage but try to abide by myself. Safety starts at home, with me… and I hope it will start with you too.
Tips provided by AT&T Mobile Safety that are essential for every modern day family:
- Model Good Behavior. Turn off your mobile phones and electronic devices during dinner or while participating in family activities. Children will feel more compelled to follow rules if everyone in the family abides by them.
- Pay attention. Know where your kids go online and what they’re doing there.
- Impart your values. Cheating, lying, and being cruel online are not acceptable. The concepts of right and wrong should extend to a child’s online and mobile life.
- Establish limits. Set clear time or texting limits and time of day restrictions so children know when it’s appropriate to use mobile phones or technology.
- Encourage balance. Support their interest in offline activities that don’t require a gadget or mobile device.
- Make kids accountable. Using digital media is a privilege. Consider asking your child to complete more essential tasks, like chores or family time, before letting him get on the internet or text with friends.
- Explain what’s at stake. Remind little ones that what they do today can be used against them tomorrow, especially their when their actions are online.
- Do your homework. Research the websites your kids visit, the songs they download, etc. Stay tuned into how and why they’re using technology so they don’t have free reign.
Disclosure: I am a AT&T Family Safety Ambassador. This is part of a compensated campaign with AT&T. However, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
We didn’t get a cell phone for my daughter until this past year (she’s 11). We’ve had to have many talks about how to use her phone. It’s so important to protect our kids with mobile phones!
Great tips!! I don’t think my children will have phones until 16 as well…but I might do one of those pre-paid phones that have like 5 numbers programed into them so that my child can call me if there is an emergency but can’t call any other number.
I do not think that children need to be on cell phones at an early age! There is too many distractions already competing with a child’s school work. An education must be the most important thing for our children. But when they get a cell phone these are really great tips to follow!