Last year, almost 200,000 children between the ages of 4 and 18 in the Netherlands got their first mobile phone. Children are getting a mobile phone at an ever younger age.
Parents think it is important that their children can be reached, but they do worry about the influence of new media.
What will the phone be used for?
For parents, an important reason to buy that first mobile phone is being able to reach their children. A quick call to say you have arrived safely is a reassuring idea too, of course. In practice, though, the phone is also used for other things, so it helps to think ahead about what the device will be used for. Once you know that, finding the right phone becomes a lot easier.
Choosing a phone
Thinking about what the phone will be used for also helps you choose the device. If, besides being reachable, your child would also like to take photos, a good camera is nice to have. If internet on the go is useful, you will quickly end up with a smartphone. Will you buy a new phone, or is an old phone from one of the parents perhaps an option?
Contract or pay as you go
Besides choosing a phone, you also need to choose between a pay-as-you-go SIM card, a SIM-only plan or a contract that includes a phone.
A pay-as-you-go SIM card has to be topped up manually each time, but that does keep the costs under control. Many parents like this because it immediately teaches children how to handle money.
With a SIM-only plan you get a certain amount of credit every month for calls and internet, often at an attractive price. You do have to provide the phone yourself.
Finally, you can choose a contract; depending on the phone, you pay for the device in one go or per month.
Wi-Fi vs. 4G
These days you can use mobile internet almost everywhere outside the home; with a 4G plan, getting online is easy. If your child does not need that yet, you can choose a plan that only includes calls and texts. Your son or daughter can of course still use Wi-Fi to go online.
What will we agree on?
Not the most fun part, but an important one. What agreements will you make with your child about using their mobile phone? Is the phone allowed at the dinner table? Does it have to be switched off after a certain time? And how do you keep the costs within limits? There are plenty of websites with useful tips, from choosing a phone to making agreements and keeping an eye on calling habits. With Mytimingcards you easily make agreements with your child about the maximum amount of screen time. The cards give overview and clarity and prevent arguments.
Games, internet or just calls
At first you may want to control which apps your child gets on their phone, for example WhatsApp, music and games. You could do this with apps such as Smart App Protector, which lets you grant access to certain apps with a password or pattern. You can also enable these passwords for a set period of time.
Watch out for extra phone costs
Your child may not be aware of certain additional costs, such as subscriptions or insurance. Tell them about this as soon as you buy a phone. You can, for example, block premium text services on the number with your provider; some providers block premium text messages by default. Another option is to set a data limit, which can be done on both Android and iOS. There are also various apps for this, such as My Data Manager, available on iOS and Android. That way you avoid sky-high bills.
Is your child ready for a mobile phone?
We hope the tips above help you find your way in the world of mobile phones for children. What are your tips? Do your children already have a mobile phone?
Making screen time agreements together?
Mytimingcards give your child clarity and responsibility: 24 time cards, 4 bonus cards, a timer and the Mytimingcards contract.