What’s the best age to entrust your child with their very own phone? It’s a tough question and a huge responsibility. I think the general consensus is around 13 years old but I’ve heard of kids with phones as young as 8-10. Or maybe not until they’ve reached high school or the means to pay for it on their own. Ultimately, it’s up to you as a parents to decide what is best for your family. There isn’t really a wrong answer if you approach it thoughtfully and maintain an open dialog with your child about appropriate use and the great responsibility that comes with having their own device.
You might even consider taking it beyond conversation with a written parent-child phone agreement. A parent-child agreement clearly lays out the expectations for continued responsible use of their phone as well as the commitments that both parents and child are making to protect their privacy and stay safe online.
You’re not a writer? No problem. Remember U.S. Cellular? They’re a Chicago based cell phone provider (the 5th largest). Ironically, you can’t get their service if you live in Chicago but they have millions of customers across the country. They have a simple parent-child agreement generator that you can use to craft a custom agreement for your child in under five minutes. Check it out here: https://www.childphoneagreement.com
If you choose to make this agreement with your child (and child with the parents), it’s a good idea to sit down and review it with each other from time to time. Perhaps monthly when reviewing the bill – an opportunity to teach financial responsibility – or whenever the parent or child feels that the agreement is in danger of being violated.
Now get to customizing your very own agreement, print it, and talk about it with your child.
That’s #SimpleSecurity
Glad to have this information. Thank you