Most parents face the great debate of whether they should allow their children to have a cellphone. There are both pros and cons to support this debate. There is the huge convenience factor that comes with getting children a smartphone and being able to reach them at any time as well as having the ability to track them. But there are even more fears. You worry that they will connect with the wrong people. You worry that they start engaging in inappropriate behavior. The list of concerns goes on and on.
No longer does this choice need to be a battle of convenience versus worry. Today, there are many apps and technological advances that allow you to stay in touch with your child while also making sure he or she is protected from the dangers of the world. Here are six ways to protect your child’s smartphone and give yourself some peace of mind.
Monitoring Software
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If you are concerned about your child’s cell phone use and the risks of both intentional and unintentional dangers, you should install monitoring software. There is a variety of software programs to choose from, and their features range from GPS monitoring to social media monitoring. You can find a system to monitor as much or as little as you want.
Keyword Alert Apps
Along the same lines as monitoring software, there are keyword alert/smartphone monitoring apps that monitor preset words. All you do is create a list of words that you want to be notified of when they are used, and the moment a search is performed or a text is sent with those words, you are informed. Although it won’t stop your child from using these words, you will know it is happening.
Block Caller ID
No one other than family and friends needs to have access to your child’s cell phone number. Although you teach them never to give out their number, many children accidentally give their numbers out without even knowing it. Prevent this from happening by blocking your child’s number from caller ID. It is incredibly easy to block caller ID on a T-Mobile smartphone. All you have to do is teach your child to dial *67 before he or she dials any other number, and the ID is blocked.
Phone-Free Times
One danger of cell phones that often gets overlooked is smartphone addiction. Children and adults alike get caught up in always having their smartphone in hand. For a child, this potentially allows bullies full-time access. But you can stop this from happening by requiring your child to take breaks from Facebook, Instagram, and all the other social media sites on his or her phone. Schedule times during the day such as dinner, homework, and mornings, when your child needs to be phone-free.
Shared Family Accounts
Shared family accounts are an easy way for you to keep track of the apps that your child adds to his or her smartphone without the child knowing it. When you have a shared account, all apps that your child installs will automatically be installed to the other smartphones attached to that account. So if you child adds Snapchat, you will know, because it will appear on your phone as well.
No Phones While Driving
More than likely you will get your child a cell phone well before he or she is driving. However, there will come a time when your child is not so little, and talking or texting while driving becomes an issue. Take action now in demonstrating healthy behaviors by putting your cell phone away when you drive. Then when it is time for your child to drive, install one of the many available apps on your child’s smartphone that prevent him or her from texting while driving. These apps are simple to use and offer a little peace of mind to the parent who is sitting at home already worried about all the other possible teen- and car-related problems.
Remember, you can have the best of both worlds and enjoy the convenience of your child’s cell phone while knowing that he or she is protected. Get your child a cell phone, take action to protect him or her, and sit back and relax.
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