Guidelines to Remember When Introducing First Time Users
“There’s no more important consumer product today than a cell phone.”
–Mary Dillon
As I drew near to my daughter’s 10th birthday, I started having a conversation around ‘the birthday present list.’ Discussion ensued about the fact her older sister got a cell phone on her birthday as she was heading to a new school, travelling on a bus and needed to be in touch with parents. Needless to say, 5. our younger daughter will get her first cell phone at Christmas Be sure that all family members understand the appropriate use of the phone’s camera. Avoid taking and sharing pictures that may be inappropriate or that could embarrass you or get you into trouble. Consider the privacy of others when taking pictures of those around you.
Be careful about any apps you download and install. While most apps are fine, there are some that pose security and to match the purchase we made for our elder daughter.
Like many families, when we purchased the phone for our first
daughter, we went through the questions about appropriate age,
concerns about overuse, social media outlets such as Facebook 6.
or Snapchat and the myriad of concerns related to the use of cell
phones. privacy risks. Read the reviews and make sure that the app
One year on and with the prospect of the our second child 7. ‘owning’ her own cell phone in the near future, we needed to continuously review our family rules and expectations around 8. use of devices. Monitoring and managing device use is a constant struggle. As new research becomes known, we talk with friends and family and we develop and adapt our own thinking.
Our personal use of devices as parents has huge influence on what our children will do. We have a responsibility to model appropriate use so the messages we are trying to deliver to our children are reciprocated ourselves, easier said than done at times in our household.
A recent internet search led me to the website, safekids.com and an article written by Dr. Gail Gross entitled, ‘Teens and Technology: Managing Cell Phone Usage,’ which outlines many simple tips:
- Have a conversation about when it’s OK and not OK to use the phone for talking, texting, apps and other functions. This should include time and place. Talk about rules for use during dinner, at social events and in public places like movie theatres and restaurants.
- Have a centralised place for the phones to charge while family members are sleeping. There are many reasons why phones should not be used after bedtime. Just because your phone may also be an alarm clock does not mean it necessarily should be sitting on your or your kids’ nightstand.
- Never text, send email, use apps or configure the phone’s GPS while driving, riding a bicycle or on a skateboard. There have even been “texting while walking” accidents.
- Consider software that not only provides some security but also helps avoid loss. Products like Apple’s free “Find my iPhone” and Lookout.com’s free security app for Android are extremely useful.
- Be sure that all family members understand the appropriate use of the phone’s camera. void taking and sharing pictures of yourself that may be inappropriate or that could embarrass you or get you into trouble. Consider the privacy of others when taking pictures of those around you.
- Be careful about any apps you download and install. While most apps are fine, there are some that pose security and privacy risks. Read the reviews and make sure that the app is from a legitimate source.
- Make sure that anything you post using social networking apps or websites is appropriate.
- Make sure all family members understand the cost of using their phone. That includes any charges for phone calls, text and data as well as the purchasing and use of apps and in-app purchases.
“Finally, as a mental note to yourself, what you do is more important than what you say so be sure to be a positive role model and do not let your kids see you violating these rules.”