February 20th 2009
For Kids’ Cell Phones, Parental Controls should be Implemented
It’s truly amazing what cell phones can do these days. Aside from making phone calls, you can send text messages, browse the internet, play games, snap pictures and listen to music.
Teach Responsibility
For your tween (a child between 8-12 years old), it is a good idea to give him a cell phone in order to test if he’s responsible enough to take care of it. However, parental control should be implemented at all times.
For new models of kids’ cell phones, parental controls are already integrated in the unit. Examples are Firefly Mobile Phone, LG Migo, and TicTalk.
Teach your tween that digital images captured by cell phones may compromise someone’s privacy. So make sure that you explain what images he is prohibited to take.
Moreover, since text messaging is privately done, you may not be able to monitor the type of messages he sends. Just discuss with him that he should only exchange messages with people he trusts.