6 Ways to Child Proof a Cell Phone
Nowadays, it's common to see toddlers and preschoolers happily engaged with a smartphone or tablet. These devices are ideal when it comes to keeping kids entertained. However, eventually your child will ask for their own phone. When that time comes, you'll want to take the appropriate measures to protect the phone and its software settings. Here are six tips to help you kid proof a cell phone.
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Tips to Kid Proof Cell Phone
Before your child takes the responsibility of owning their own phone, follow these tips to kid-proof a cell phone.
- The Right Case
If adults are susceptible to the occasional drop or cracked screen, imagine what damage a kid can do with a phone! All of these phone and tablet devices are fragile and easy to damage.
A heavy-duty case is the right move for a first-time phone owner. There are also a wide range of options for cases, so heavy-duty doesn't have to mean boring, bulky, or ugly. There are many cute, protective cases perfect for your daughter or character cases for your son. Shopping for a phone case is a fun activity to do with your kids, enjoy the time spent searching for the right case!
- Screen Protector
While some cases have built in screen-protectors, this is not a universal trait. A screen protector is something every person needs. This thin protective layer protects against cracking and other regular wear and tear. It provides you peace of mind, knowing your kid is less likely to show you a cracked phone screen and help you to avoid costly replacements.
- Family Sharing Protections
On some devices, like Apple, you can use Family Sharing for calendars, photos, and other storage. This means you can easily share books, apps, and music purchases rather than buy them multiple times.
In addition, Family Sharing protections allow you, as the parent, to receive alerts when your child tries to download an app, book, movie, and more. You can approve or reject – allowing you to monitor what your child is downloading, as well as the purchases.
It certainly is upsetting to have surprise purchases in your inbox when your kids don't understand some apps and games cost money! Let family sharing help.
- Disable In-App Purchases and App Downloads
Another option is to disable in-app purchases. Some games have micro-purchases in the app where a simple click can rack up a hefty bill.
Instead of letting your child purchase endlessly, you can go to Settings > General > Restrictions. From there, simply disable In-App Purchases. You can also disable app installation or deletion. This allows you to monitor how your child is using their phone.
- Monitor Screen Time
Most smartphones have screen time built in so you can check and track how much time is spent on each app. If you suspect a Candy Crush overload, you can look at your child’s phone and see just how much time is spent on that game. From there, you can have healthy conversations about screen time and how to limit phone usage.
- Gift Cards
Over time, you might want to teach your child the value of money and how to wisely spend what they have. An option is to use gift cards instead of connecting to a family account. For example, you can use an iTunes gift card for Apple products or an Amazon gift card for a Kindle Fire or another Amazon device.
With family settings in place, you can still approve purchases, but you give your kids a little more control over spending.
Bottom Line
Opening your child up to the world by handing them a cell phone is a rite of passage. But before you give them this full responsibility, take some precautions to make sure the entire experience helps prepare them for adulthood.
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