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.

Keep a Good Connection

For kids, cell phones parental controls are necessary to make sure that your child is safe.  It is best to have rules on cell phone usage – you can check with monthly bills each month if your limits are being followed.  It’s also recommended to check on the phone numbers that you don’t recognize (especially a different area code).