Some parents may be thinking about a mobile phone gift for their pre-teen or teenager as this is quite popular in the Christmas wishlist of the younger generation. Owning a smartphone has its advantages and disadvantages, but if the parents have the right approach to gifting this device, common issues with kids owning mobile phones could be best avoided.
Parenting expert Anita Cleare said that moms or dads planning to give their kids their first smartphone should lay down the ground rules from the start. However, she also advised parents to "be prepared to adapt" as the children's phone habit use will change.
Here are some things to be considered before giving a mobile phone gift to kids:
1. Start with a simple smartphone.
Children do not need to have the latest or most expensive smartphone model because they are still prone to losing items or damaging their stuff. According to Cleare, parents shouldn't set their children to fail or open themselves to stress over scolding or fighting with their kids if they break or lose an expensive mobile phone.
The expert also said that even a second-hand or cheaper smartphone will still be a good Christmas gift. The parents should also sit down with their kids to advise them about getting an upgrade if they could save up for a fancier phone, teaching them to be responsible.
2. Discuss the limitations and the rules together.
Psychologist Catherine Steiner-Adair said it's important to talk to the kids about their limitations before handing over the gadget. Emphasize that the rules might also change as they grow older, depending on how they interact and handle the device.
For parents with more than one child who has a smartphone, the rules should fit the child's needs and usage. Steiner-Adair recommended keeping track of the child's phone use and its impact and then modifying the rules accordingly because what works for one child might not work for another child.
Consider inquiring about capping options on your children's mobile phone plan with the service provider so that there will be no excesses and additional fees if the child goes over their usage limit.
If possible, draw up a "contract" of your agreement and make the child see that owning a smartphone is a privilege that comes with consequences. This will teach them that they should be accountable for what they do with their smartphone.
3. Install apps that protect your children.
Some parents are wary of giving a mobile phone gift because it could expose their kids to unsafe environments and people on the internet. However, there are plenty of protective software options that allow parents to monitor or control their children's activities online. Inform your kids that this feature will be on their smartphones so that they will not also feel that their parents are spying on them.
"Kids should act as if their parents are reading almost everything they post," according to Dr. David Anderson of the Child Mind Institute. This will deter them from oversharing or acting impulsively in their internet activity, which they could regret later on. The expert also explained that this is training for the children to make good decisions that they can apply when they are adults and live independently.
