Baby's First Smartphone?

One thing is for sure - ideal parenting theories often thrown out the window the minute the child actually arrives on scene. From all-organic baby food and clothing to nap schedules, to no screen time, what we wish for our child and what is actually manageable are more often than not two very different things. And one thing on that list for sure is a smartphone.

At one point or another every parent has handed over their smartphone to babysit their kids, if even just for a few minutes. But what about getting them their own? While some might balk at the idea, each child and family has different needs depending on demographics, routine, work schedules, and ages of the kiddos. And just like with any baby advice out there, what works for you might not work for others and vice versa. With that in mind, here are a few questions that might be worth flushing out before you make a decision.

What Would They Use It For?

Ok yea, 99% of kids don’t have important phone calls to make on the regular. If their limited use from a smartphone would mainly be to browse the web and watch videos and not texts or calls, a computer or family iPad might able to serve their needs without connecting them to a public network.

Could It Be Essential?

Alongside figuring out what they might use their phone for, it’s also worth considering when it might be essential for them to have access to a phone. If your child relies on public transport to get home from school, for example, she or he could find themselves in need of a phone if they miss their bus or tram or commute schedules change.

Will They Be Sensible With It?

It can be incredibly difficult to monitor and keep track of a smartphone and how it is used, especially if your kid is older and is starting to know tech better than you. Which means you’re gonna have to put some trust in your child if you are going to give them a device like that. Social media, prank calls, buying stuff online, and just general privacy issues/leaks or doing anything else which you don’t like, are all things you’ll have to figure out limits and ground rules for. Some children will definitely find this much harder than others so taking your kiddos temperament and attitude is definitely important.

Can You Control It?

Being in control of your child’s digital life is a challenge, and you will have to stay on your toes and work extremely hard to make sure that you are the one in charge. A free trial of a tool like Family Orbit can be a fantastic place to start, allowing you access to tools which can give you the power to monitor and control your child’s smartphone. Pro tip: let your little one know you have the ability to monitor and control their smartphone to establish trust with them - that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to tell them exactly what you’ll be able to see…

While everyone has a different idea of when their kids should have a smartphone, it’s really a choice you have to make for yourself. Luckily, there is no right choice, except the one you’ve decided to make.