It may not happen until your child is 16, or it could happen as early as 6 – sooner or later, he is going to ask you for a cell phone. And when your child does, how are you going to answer? Your child's safety is a big deal, especially on a mobile phone, and you might want to consider parental monitoring or parental controls.
A cell phone, especially a smart phone, is a big responsibility. Here are 8 indicators that your child is ready to handle one.
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He has shown responsibility with other big-ticket personal items, (anything from a retainer to a Nintendo DS) for example keeping track of the item and taking good care of it.
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He can provide some well thought-out reasons for needing or wanting one – other than “but Mom, all my friends have one!”
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He understands and is prepared to follow school rules about having and using a cell phone at school.
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You've discussed issues like cyberbullying, sending or forwarding sexts and, if your child is old enough to drive, texting while behind the wheel.
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He knows what to do if he is sent or encounters inappropriate material on his phone.
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He agrees to abide by your family's rules and limits on how and when he can use the phone, and agrees to the consequences for breaking them.
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He understands the methods you'll be using to monitor their cell phone usage.
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He or she has the capability to pay for part or all of the bill. Some parents would disagree with me on this, but kids are more likely to abuse a free gift from mom and dad than something they have personally earned.
Every child doesn't need a phone at the same age – it depends on the child's maturity level and the family situation. As with so many other things, it's up to you – the parent – to decide.
