Since EVERYONE has a cell phone and your children are no exception, it's important to consider certain formulas when making this purchase. AT&T's Cathy Lewandowski, PR manager and my favorite mobile phone advisor, tells us to think of the following:
» Set boundaries. Make sure your child understands how his device is and, more importantly, is not to be used. Surfing the internet or gaming or using the device for calling and texting only should be a decision you each make in agreement (or as much as parent and tween/teen can agree on anything). Define how, when and where she is allowed to use her new cellphone and make sure she understands you have the right to monitor her activity on the wireless device.
Ellen Phillips » Discuss the do's and don'ts of texting. Since texting is the primary mode of communication for most young, wireless users, set rules for when he can do it. One option is to allow texting at specific times only – no texting at school, no texting at the dinner table, no texting until homework is done, no texting after bedtime.
» Check privacy settings on social media. Make sure you set the privacy settings on whatever social media your child uses but emphasize that there is no privacy. The more private, the less likely inappropriate material will be received by your child or sent to his circle of acquaintances. Make sure Little Teddy understands that everything sent over the Internet or a cellphone is public and can be shared with the entire world, so it's crucial Teddy or Tara uses good judgment.
» Take advantage of parental controls. Ask your wireless provider about parental controls available to you. For example, AT&T has Smart Limits which allows parents to block unwanted calls and texts from up to thrity numbers; set monthly limits on texts and mobile purchases; and restrict texting, data usage and outbound calling during specified times of the day. Such tools provide parents with peace of mind while away from their kids.
» Learn how to track your child's wireless usage to control cost. All wireless providers offer ways for you to keep track of the number of minutes and amount of data used on a device. Research and use wisely.
Consider ranking the child's mobile wish list using these criteria:
- Text messaging
- Send/receive e-mail
- Social media
- Take and share photos
- Games
- Listen to streaming music and mp3 files of music they already own
- Watching TV (U-tube or streaming video)
- Apps
- Browsing web
- Video chat
Bring the list of priorities along when shopping for a wireless phone. Your carrier's store salesperson can then offer several devices in a variety of price ranges that will meet those needs.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com.