Baby phone: when and how?
When is the best time to buy a phone and what first baby phone will work best? From what age can a child have a phone? smartphone for an 8-year-old for self-use is a good idea, or it is better to wait a bit before buying and choose the first one baby phone at the age of 9 10 years or later? What to do to cell for a child did not become the only entertainment and toy? Why should we not leave baby with the phone alone, out of control?
Many parents are looking for answers to these and other questions about their child's first phone. In our guide, we offer suggestions on how to enable our children to enjoy the benefits of modern technology while protecting them from potential threats.
A small child and a mobile phone - Yes but…
It's practically impossible to escape new technologies and mobile devices, especially smartphones. Since we use them ourselves, our children will be exposed to them from a very young age. However, before they get a phone, it's worth considering the purpose and rules for their use, and how we will exercise control over it. A small child and a cell phone—is it a good idea? According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), until the age of two, a child should not have contact with screen devices, including tablets and smartphones. These data also say that making electronic devices available to children aged 3 to 6 should be a well-thought-out decision, governed by a number of rules.
Baby with the phone: the later the better
The need to use a phone typically arises with increasing independence, for example, when a child begins to spend time away from home and travel unsupervised, for example, when traveling to school or other activities. At what age can a child have a phone?
Expert advises
Around 12-13 years of age seems appropriate. Of course, there are exceptional family situations or other special circumstances, such as a pandemic or a summer camp, when a child's first cell phone may be necessary. However, before buying a child's first phone, it's worth considering the extent to which your child will use it: whether they will make independent calls, dial stored numbers, or only receive incoming calls or messages, what about internet access, etc.
A small child and a mobile phone: In the case of younger children, an educational tablet can work better than a smartphone, which will allow you to train the ability to transfer attention. Remember, however, that in the case of young children, the ability to acquire information becomes more important, which is better stimulated by reading books with the child.
When is the best time to buy your first phone? for baby?
This is a question that often comes up in discussions between parents: from what age can a child have a phone so that it does not adversely affect their development, but also – and equally importantly – so that they do not feel inferior to their peers? In the first decade of life or even longer (approximately until the age of 10 or 11) no usually has a reason for our little one to have a phone call property or exclusive use.
Expert advises
When should you buy your child a phone? According to a 2018 study commissioned by a smartphone manufacturer, nearly half of parents considered their child's 10th birthday the best time to get them a phone, while nearly a quarter believed it should happen at 11 or later. The websites of hardware retailers and mobile network operators offer a wealth of advice on choosing a phone model for a child aged 9, 10, or even 8, but for younger children, it's worth considering the purchase carefully.
When should you buy your child a phone? Age isn't the only factor.
However, let's not treat our child's age as the only or main criterion for deciding when to buy the child's first phone.. Let's take into account whether the child is mature enough not only to use individual functions, but also to take care of the device, remember to charge the battery, etc. This is a good time to talk about responsibility, pointing out that using your first phone is not only a pleasure, but also a responsibility.
It is good if the cell for a child appears for a specific reason, and not only as an expensive gadget that meets the whim of our child
A small child and a mobile phone: Safety and rules of use
Buying a child their first phone is a good opportunity to discuss responsibility, adulthood, responsibilities, and the risks associated with internet access, for example. For example, you and your child can draw up a "contract" that outlines the rules for smartphone use, including time limits. It's worth reminding your child to use their phone during playtime. It is not advisable for the phone to accompany our children with their homework. A device lying on a desk within their sight unnecessarily draws their attention, which can be difficult to perform tasks that require concentration.
What is the first phone for a child?
Seeing smartphones in adults' hands every day, children begin reaching for them even as infants. At what age can a child have a phone? For starters, we can give a toddler a phone-like educational toy equipped with various functions, while for a toddler, we can give them a more realistic "adult" phone or a handset we no longer use, without a SIM card or calling capabilities, which will be used for fun and also "set the stage" for using a real cell phone in the future. When it comes time to choose your child's first phone, it's definitely worth considering durability, battery capacity, and, of course, price. There is no point in investing in a model that is too expensive, it is also better to be prepared for the fact that the phone will be damaged or lost quite quickly.
Regardless of the selected model or brand, they will definitely be useful tools (applications) that will enable content controlto which the child has access.
Without going to extremes - a small child and a mobile phone
Once we decide on the first phone for our child, remember to: do not use it as a bargaining chip, to reward or punish. Let us teach our children to use it in moderation and safely, showing on our own example that it is a useful tool, not an end in itself. It is worth being aware that the problem of addiction to smartphones may affect children of all ages, including the youngest.
Źródła:
Gentile, DA, Swing, EL, Lim, CG, Khoo, A. (2012) Video game playing, attention problems and impulsiveness, evidence of bi-directional causality. Psychology of Popular Media Culture
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