As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to safeguard your child. You may think that buying them a phone is a way to do this – after all, you can stay in touch with them and know where they are at all times.
However, parents make some common mistakes after buying their children’s phones, which could put their safety at risk. Luckily, they are avoidable if you know what to look out for.
This blog will discuss five of the most common mistakes parents make after buying their children’s phones and how to avoid them.
1. Not Set Up Parental Controls
One of the most common mistakes parents make is not setting up parental controls on their child’s phone. It means that your child has access to the internet and questionable content without any restrictions.
Depending on your phone type, there are many different ways to set up parental controls. You can use the built-in Restrictions feature for iPhones to limit what your child can do on their phone. Also, Family Orbit is a great app that allows you to monitor your child’s activity and set restrictions on their phone remotely.
There are a few different options for setting up parental controls for Android phones. You can use the built-in parental controls in the Google Play Store. Either way, it’s crucial to ensure that you have parental control set up on your child’s phone.
2. Giving Them Unrestricted Access to the Internet
Another mistake parents make is giving their children unrestricted access to the internet. Just because you have set up parental controls does not mean that your child can’t find a way around them. If you give your child unrestricted access to the internet, they will likely find ways to access content that you would rather them not see.
The best way to avoid this mistake is only to give your child access to the internet when you can supervise them. This way, you can ensure that they are only accessing appropriate content. You can also set up limits on the time they can spend online.
3. Not Keeping Their Child’s Information Private
When you give your child a phone, you also provide them with access to your information. If you do not keep their information private, they could share it with people you would rather not have access to it.
There are a few different ways to keep your child’s information private:
- Set up a separate account for your child on their phone. This way, they do not have access to your information.
- Do not save your child’s contact information in your address book. It will prevent them from accessing it unless they know your password.
- Be careful about what information you share on social media. If you share much, your child could also end up sharing it.
Doing these things will help keep your child’s information private and prevent them from sharing it with people you would rather not have access to it.
4. Failing to Teach Their Child How to Use Their Phone Safely
Just because you have given your child a phone does not mean they know how to use it safely. It is important to teach them about responsible phone use and ensure they understand the dangers of sharing personal information or talking to strangers online.
There are a few things you can do to help your child use their phone safely:
- Talk to them about responsible phone use and set ground rules for how they should use their phone.
- Ensure they know how to block and report people online
- Teach them about cyberbullying and how to deal with it if it happens to them
By teaching your child how to use their phone safely, you can help them avoid many of the risks associated with owning a phone.
5. Not Staying Up-to-Date on Their Child’s Phone Use
One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to stay up-to-date on your child’s phone use. It means monitoring their activity and knowing who they are talking to. It is also important to be aware of the apps they are using and what type of content they are accessing.
There are a few different ways you can stay up-to-date on your child’s phone use:
- Check their phone regularly to see who they are talking to and what they are doing.
- Ask them about the apps they are using and what type of content they are accessing.
- Talk to them about responsible phone use
Avoid the Mistakes!
Giving your child a phone can be a great way to stay connected, but it is essential to be aware of the risks. By taking some simple precautions, you can help your child avoid the many dangers of owning a phone.
