Parents considering purchasing a cell phone for their children should ask themselves several questions first. “Should we get our child a cell phone?” Many modern parents ask this question as their children grow.
TODAY Parents recently spoke with Dr. Catherine Pearlman, author of “First Phone, a child’s guide to digital responsibility and safety.” Pearlman suggests:
- Do you need a phone? In Pearlman’s view, there doesn’t need to be one, but it might be helpful if a child is home alone or walk independently.
- Can the child accept limits on screen time?
- Can the child handle essential belongings?
- What is the child’s attitude toward digital education?
“Parents should ask these questions to determine if their child is ready for a new phone,” Pearlman said. It empowers the child and parent to have a dialog, leading to continued engagement once the phone is purchased.”
Pearlman says parents should be aware of five specific concerns when it comes to digital safety.
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Concerns About Digital Safety
- Scams and predators online. Their work is excellent. Adults can fall victim to scammers.
- What is the digital footprint of your child? Do they have accounts anywhere? How are they sharing data?
- How does the child use social media? What do they watch? Are they interacting?
- Is the child affected by social media, cyberbullying, or screen time?
- Who influences your child? What does the child know about influencers posting ads, commercials, and selling items?
Tips For A Child’s Phone Safety
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- Play a role to teach children that not everyone online is a friend.
- Create guidelines about usage, screen-free times, and charging locations at night.
- Educate kids on scams, phishing, and predators, so they know what to avoid.
In addition to digital consent concepts, Pearlman added that digital education is a “lifelong process” as the digital world evolves, including sexting, social media, and how phones affect mental health.