Cellphones: How To Ensure the Safety of Your Kids
It’s hard to believe that just a decade ago, the idea of having a phone that could fit in your pocket was nothing more than a dream. Now, it seems like everyone has a cellphone, and for good reason—they’re incredibly useful tools. But with all of the benefits that come with owning a cellphone, there are also some risks associated with it, especially for kids. So how can you make sure your kids are using their cell phones safely? Here are some tips.
Consider a Tracking App
The first tip on this list, if you are looking to ensure the safety of your kids while they use a cellphone, would be to consider using a tracking app. There are loads of iPhone tracking apps online that you could take advantage of, but it is worth mentioning that this should be a last resort if your kids are slightly older since you don’t want to break their trust and alienate themselves from you.
More importantly, it might even be a better idea to consult your children first and let them know about the idea and discuss the benefits so that they are on the same page as you. Not only will this make installing the tracking app much easier, but it will also help to improve the relationship and communication that you have with your child.
Figure Out How Your Child Is Using the Phone
The next tip on this list is probably one of the most important if you are looking to ensure the safety of your kids who are using mobile devices, and that is to figure out how your child is using the phone in the first place. Is your child using a mobile phone so that they can stay in contact with you to let you know when to pick them up after school? Do they require a cell phone or tablet to do schoolwork?
These questions are incredibly important since they will help you determine any potential risks that your child might be facing. As mentioned above, one thing that might be particularly helpful would be to improve communication with your child so that they can be honest about their use of the device.
Keep an Eye on Social Media Profiles
Of all the tips on this list, the most important in terms of the safety of your child is to keep an eye on their social media profiles. Even though social media is great for sharing and connecting with people, it can also be dangerous since it means that almost anyone can access or find you or your child.
If your child is using social media, you’ll want to see what types of photos or videos they are posting, who their friends are, and most importantly, who is attempting to be friends with them on these platforms. You’ll also want to ensure that your child does not have a hidden social media platform that is meant for their friends, since this is where they would be at risk.
Talk to Them
As mentioned above, one of the best strategies to keep your child safe and ensure their safety while using mobile devices is to simply talk to them. Establishing a healthy relationship and a healthy line of communication with your child can be tremendously helpful in avoiding any potential issues that might arise in the future.
You want your child to feel confident and comfortable around you and to talk with you in case something goes wrong. The last thing that you want is for them to be nervous or afraid to talk with you, since then you’ll never find out if there are issues, or you might find out too late.
Explain Potential Dangers
Finally, the last tip on this list to ensure the safety of your children or child who is using a mobile device would be to explain the potential dangers that come along with it. This would be dependent on the child’s age; however, one of the goals of a parent is to raise an independent adult who can think for themselves.
This is precisely why open communication with your child, to a certain degree, is incredibly helpful. More importantly, if you explain the dangers, or potential dangers, that come with using a mobile device, your child will appreciate your “worry” a lot more.