Until a few years ago, the usual question in many parents was when they should give their children the car keys.Today parents face a more complicated question: at what age a child "intelligent" mobile phone should have?A frequent question in the weeks prior to Children's Day.

After all, the "intelligent" phone, the one that has access to the Internet and to applications of all kinds, is the key to entry without restrictions on the network and the many benefits and dangers that entails.

But unlike driving a car, which is under specific legislation, there is no legal guide for parents to determine when a child can be ready for a mobile phone.The issue is increasing.

A quick answer to this question could be the following: the children get a cell phone only when they begin high school, after they have learned moderation and value of face -to -face communication.But other parents could decide that their children are ready before.

So how is the right time determined?The more you expect to give your children a mobile phone, the better.Cell phones can be addictive distractions that remain value to school work and expose children to problems such as online stalkers, children's or sexting predators.

Pros and cons

Mobile phones undoubtedly provide benefits.With devices, children access powerful applications, including educational tools to study, Chat applications to connect with friends and a large amount of information on the web.

But there are also one step closer to the games they distract, the sixting applications and those that provide social networks where online stalkers are on the stalking.

In the end, those inconveniences can overcome the pros.If children are not given mobile phones, many will still have access to technological tools through devices such as computers and tablets.The main difference with a cell phone is that a team of these characteristics is with a child everywhere, even outside the parents' supervision.

Alternatives

Ultimately, parents will solve the moment when their child really needs a cell phone.When that moment comes, there are ways to try the waters before delivering one to the child.

A frequent option is to start the child with simple mobile equipment, such as basic cell phones with functions that can only send text messages or make phone calls, and evaluate whether they can use those devices in a responsible manner.

Another alternative is the "intelligent" or "smartwatch".

The "intelligent" clock allows you to teach you the responsibilities of using a mobile device safely before the child finally wins the privilege of wearing a mobile phone.

If your child wants to play or watch videos in a personal team, but does not require connectivity outside the home, the iPod touch is a great idea.It is a team with little power.Reproduces videos and games without problems, without cost and complexity associated with a traditional mobile phone service.

If not a fan of Apple's products, look for low -cost Android phones.They can use an Android phone normally, but only through Wi-Fi.

Los iPod Touch son alternativas para que los niños incursionen en tecniología.

Boundaries

When parents decide that it is time to give a "smart" mobile phone to their child, there are ways to establish limits.To help parents enforce the rules consistently, you can establish a family contract that enumerates the rules of telephone use, which includes promises to never take naked "selfies" and never try to meet Internet strangers in the real life.

The parents warn what the consequences will be if the rules are broken and the child must sign the contract before receiving a cell phone.Other useful limits are not having phones at the family meter table or school tasks.If the children break the rules, the phones are removed.

Cheap beginnings

When in the end you bring your child a phone, don't spend too much money.Children are not responsible, because they are children.They will lose phones, they will drop them and soak up and break them.I assumed that this will happen to you.

There are many good phones of up to $ 10.0000 that execute relatively new and safe versions of their operating systems, are not frustrating and do not look shamefully outdated.You can find them here.

Children, cell phones and health

There has been an endless, never resolved debate for decades, about cell phones and children's radiation.Radiation concerns only come into play when a phone is held against their heads for long periods of time and children no longer speak with their friends;They send text messages.

On a basic cell phone, short conversations with parents for security reasons or to mobilize, they will not harm anyone.For longer conversations, I got economic headphones.Whatever phone you get, make sure you get a pleasant and resistant case.

Connection plans

When you give your child a phone, be it a new or one inherited, you must address the mobile phone service plan in which it will be.The lowest cost option is that you have only Wi-Fi, without SIM card.

With this option, they will only access established Wi-Fi networks and cannot send standard text messages or act regular telephone calls.However, you can use Issassage and Facetime on iPhone, or Google Hangouts to send text messages and call other Google accounts on Android phones.

It is possible that your mobile phone provider has a convenient family plan to add a line, which can also mean that you can obtain a team with a monthly payment plan.

If you share a connection package with mobile data with your child, be sure to establish a limit to a certain amount of monthly data so that all yours are not eaten.You can also save money by connecting your child's phone to a low -cost service.

How to make your child's phone safe

Android and iOS operating systems have some integrated parental controls.In them you can block purchases, a measure that you should apply immediately, because it is too easy to buy things accidentally, as well as the use or installation of the application.

Family Link is a Google software package for android equipment gives you activity reports and also allows you to establish screen time limits.A basic rule can be the following: any application with a social aspect, or anything that allows public publication, is potentially dangerous.

You should be able to look through the applications on your child's phone and read the type of messages that are received.What happens to children who sneak out and lie?If your child lies to you, it is not a fault of the phone.Ultimately, you have the power to remove the phone.

Los niños cada vez incursionen más temprano con los celulares.

The best phone according to your child's age

Children under 8 years

Young children who need phones often only require them because they are for many hours a day under the care of other adults who are not their parents.They must be basic equipment.

9 to 13 years

As preteens and adolescents get their first moments of independence, they may need phones to take them through the neighborhood and to send text messages to their friends.However, preteens are children and cannot be trusted with expensive devices.This is the best time to give your child a voice phone.

14 to 17 years

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The cell phone needs that teenagers have are similar to those of adults.However, take the collections always activate location monitor.That will help you when your child's cell phone is lost at a school party or event and panic.

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