Smartphones for Kids: What should I watch out for?

Children grow up with smartphones But that does not mean that they can handle it. For parents, however, the question is always older, when the right time has come for it.

In 2017, about 18% of young people aged 8 to 9 in Germany had their own mobile phone. Even at the age of six or seven, it was six percent. Children's smartphones seem to have become a topic that parents must deal with, whether they want it or not, and that they do it early

Smartphones for Kids: I need to respect

The fact is, according to statistics: Children are growing up today in a digital environment. The fact that they can not necessarily handle it properly is just as clear. For parents, this means actively attacking their children's digital education. This includes especially the question of what special attention should be paid to children's cell phones.

The training in the use of devices includes, for example, the explanation of what it means to send images and record data. It is not only about the application, but above all to give the children a look behind the scenes.

Compared to school, parents have primary responsibility, even though many mothers and fathers feel overwhelmed. This is often enough because they do not have the proper skill. In order to consider smartphones for kids, parents should first be aware of their own transactions with them. The behavior of your own smartphone can have negative consequences for your children.

It is only when parents can not provide the necessary point of contact for the digital education of their offspring that the school should step in and provide the foundation. Some precautions can still be taken at home.

Rules for the use of Smartphone in children:

• Appropriate use of age : Parents should not allow smartphones for children unless the child
• Clear Rules for Mobile Networks : For example, children should not use public wireless networks to prevent third party access to their smartphone.
• Handling Training : Parents and children should take a look at the tips and tricks for using the smartphone and setting up rules based on that.

In the end, of course, the most important thing is that parents trust their child well enough to comply with agreements made under his own responsibility.

Are smartphones harmful to children?

It can be examined whether mobile phones can be dangerous for children from different angles. Ophthalmologists, for example, see a greater risk of myopia among young smartphone users because of their constant look on the screen.

The situation is similar with the intensive use of mobile phones. In this way, smartphones can have a detrimental effect on children because they cause health problems as well as social problems. For example, addictive behavior can lead to conflict in family life, but also to a general social isolation of the child.

Tips against smartphone addiction in children:

• Parents should not consider the use of mobile phones as negative, but as a model and a fixed use.
• The threat of a ban on mobile phones could lead to children no longer turning to their parents for problems with the smartphone. An open conversation about existing problems helps here
• A regular "cell phone fast" for parents and children can help them find their way without a smartphone in everyday life

In the worst case , cyberbullying is favored by cell phones, because devices are always and everywhere and children are becoming so vulnerable. Smartphones for children can therefore be a major stress factor in certain circumstances.

Can smartphones be good for kids?

Despite possible negative influences, smartphones can also be good for kids. Skilful handling of devices is an advantage, in order to badess the badociated risks and to know where their own limits lie. For parents, however, it can be a relief to always know your own child.

In a normal social environment, smartphones help children, just like adults, organize their daily lives, socialize with friends, and stay in regular contact. Even as a source of information, the mobile phone is now indispensable. On the other hand, children's smartphones are not only responsible for respecting parental rules, but also, for example, for learning to backup. Once the credit is exhausted, it is no longer possible to make a call.

Is my child ready for a smartphone?

However, if your own child is actually mature enough for a smartphone remains a difficult question to answer. The EU initiative klicksafe.de tends to discourage fully functional cell phones for children under 12 years old. With appropriate security settings, such as disabling GPS or Wi-Fi, correct evaluation of installed apps, etc., young people can also master a smartphone and its features.

A checklist provided by the initiative is designed to help parents badess the abilities of their children.

Here are some of the skills a child needs to bring:

• Accessing Security Settings and Changing Settings
• Maintain Monthly Usage Costs
• Recognize Start-up Costs (for example, In-App Purchasing)
• Recognition and Understanding of Advertising
• Understanding and Acceptance of Agreed Rules for the Use of Cellular Phones

Conclusion: Smartphones for Children – Nos advantages and disadvantages

Smartphones are good or bad for children? Is a smartphone suitable for my child? In the end, parents must make this decision for themselves. If, for example, they have the sense of their own competence in the use of the mobile phone and can pbad it on to the child, there is nothing wrong with that. If parents feel overwhelmed, in the worst case, they could be a bad model with lasting consequences on the development of the child

Smartphones for Children: Arguments

• Development of Responsibility
• Awareness of the function and risks of the Internet [19659018] The smartphone as an information and learning tool
• Accessibility in emergency situations
• Contact with friends

Smartphones for children: arguments to the contrary

• Danger of myopia
• Excessive use of smartphones for addictive behavior [19659018] Social stress
• Naive use of smartphones and the Internet due to lack of competence of parents
• Poor behavior of parents use serves as bad model

Latest videos of futurezone in Autoplay Video Playlist

FUNKE Zentralredaktion

Show description