Protecting Your Children in an Age of Smartphones
Time has passed since the original cellphone, though I am sure many of us remember them. Enormous, inconvenient and barely able to make calls, they were more trouble than a payphone. They were also extremely expensive, and not worth the briefcase they had to be carried in. But things have changed and the smartphones of today are more powerful than we ever could have imagined, while still being easy enough for even a child to use.
But with so many of our children involved in the smartphone craze there is a new worry: who is protecting them? We have all heard the horror stories, or seen the inappropriate content floating around the web. All of this is accessible and at their fingertips, and in a device that is harder to monitor than the average computer. But they also have more freedom through their smartphones, and so it is important to follow a few safety guidelines to ensure they don’t get into trouble, face any internet privacy issues, or just see something you don’t want them to.
Use Parental Setting
There are plenty of ways to limit what can be viewed on any smartphone. The default settings are almost always lax on security, and so before the device is handed over to your child make sure you have gone through the user controls. For example, if you have an Apple product you can use iTunes to go into the parental settings and limit what songs, TV shows and movies can be downloaded or viewed. You can also put a filter on the default browser (generally Safari) in order to blacklist certain websites.
Search engines can be customized, such as through Google where you select Settings, and then select how much adult material can be allowed through the results. You can also ban this material on Ask, Yahoo!, Bing, Lycos and other search engines all over the web. While this will have no affect on URL’s, it will minimize some of the risk associated with using these searches.
You can also download a safe browser or an application that locks out certain content. These cost money but not that much, usually between $3.99 and $19.99. The Apple app store has plenty to choose from, but a simple search will bring up dozens of third-party iPhone applications that can be purchased and used.
Set Boundaries
Not all safety has to be based on technology. Sometimes just sitting down with your child and telling them what you expect of them is enough. Be clear on what it is you don’t want them sharing or viewing, and make it clear that their smartphone comes with the same rules as their television, music, movie or computer rights. These rules should also have clear consequences, which you should discuss at the time of handing over the smartphone.
Regularly checking their phone to ensure nothing inappropriate is being done with it may be necessary. While we all wish we could trust our children until they prove otherwise, that is sadly not always the case. When it comes down to it, the media has shown us how easily a child can be persuaded into doing something potentially harmful. For example, ‘sexting’ and sending suggestive or even pornographic images is common among teens, and it is more important than ever to make it clear that just because it is not physical does not mean it doesn’t have ramifications.
Be Smart
Things have changed and so the context of safety has shifted. But common sense can still be applied, and smartphones should be approached like any other new advance in technology has been. As parents, we have to be just as adaptable as the devices our children have use of, in order to stay a step ahead of what could harm them and their development. There are plenty of ways to keep them safe, as long as you are prepared to approach the issue head on.
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About the Author (Author Profile)
Shiva Chettri is the editor and owner of Netchunks, a premier blog about Webmaster and Blogging Tips. He intends to make the web a friendlier place by sharing stuffs and articles which will help other webmasters and bloggers to becomes successful. His other interests includes Web Designing, Wordpress and Music of almost every genre. Send +Shiva an email at admin@netchunks.comSubscribe
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Twitter: rohitbatra14
says:
really good post… children are the most soft targets in this age of Smartphones and Internet on Privacy or any similar threats….I personally wud also recommend parents to restrict children from over usage of smartphones..
Rohit | Ipod Touch 4G recently posted..Clock App for iPod Touch 4G
I follow everything my kids does online (they can have privacy once they’re in college). Smart education regarding cell phone usage is a must – there are always jerks in school who will try to get folk in compromising positions.
Educated parents are smart parents, as are the kids.
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach recently posted..How To Transform Unhappy Vocal Customers Into Loyal Fans…AFTER being roasted online
Very well said Barbara.. Education and some sort of monitoring is the “key” here!
TechChunks recently posted..Case-Mate iPhone 4 Bounce Cases With Radiation Reducing Technology
Excellent advice. I wrote a similar article to this on another site and our views are almost mirrored. There are the negatives, but giving your child a cell phone also carries a lot of benifits. You can ring them any time you need to, most carriers will have a family plan where they can call you even without credit, and more and more smartphones are using GPS technology to allow one to trace their phone – if you, the parent, have the password to the childs online account, then you are able to locate them at any time; providing the phone is on.
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Twitter: netchunks
says:
A GringoPerry, Your point of view is appreciated. You are right there is advantage and disadvantage of everything and you have pointed out some great advantages. Thanks for the comment and thanks for visiting Netchunks
shivachettri recently posted..FeedBurner Is Stealing Your CommentLuv Backlinks!
thats right , using cellphones while emergency is one important benefit which nobody can deny …. but restrictions must be there in place ….
Iphone 4 Jailbreak recently posted..Jailbreak Iphone 4 41 – Pwnage Tool Tutorial
Great post. I actually prefer buying my kids phones that dun have internet access… if you think about it, why even buy a smartphone in the first place? You just need it to make phone calls.
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i think this is a really good point to bring up. in the past i have looked through my kids phone settings, but i have become lazy about it. the only problem is…they are starting to get better with the phones than i am. my 11 year old could probably figure out how to dismantle any new settings i put in place. it is sort of scary how ridiculously into technology the new generation is…always, always, always texting. it drives me crazy!
Natalie recently posted..Bond Purchases by Banks Make Acquiring Personal Loans Difficult
This is an ongoing battle. First, when the internet went into every home (just about), and now with these high-tech phones and laptops. Our children are exposed to harsh environments, images and audios everyday. We need to really set boundaries, like you said, with music and television as well. Thanks for keeping us on our toes
Jasmine recently posted..Personalized Cookie Gift Basket
Parents surely need to pay attention more and more as we move into greater uses of technology. The outreach of electronic communication keeps growing and growing. Kids today are born into a different world and are so used to it all that they might not consider the dangers.
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nice article . kids need to learn and live without gadgets at their primary level … gadgets can make one lazy and kids will start avoiding social network for online friends , media
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Really Valuable suggestions. In my view every parent should closely monitor their children especially when they are using smart phones. It will be better to opt a phone for children that doesn’t have internet access.
I think thats right, the same things apply for the TV and computers. And honestly the new generation is very smart they can handle with all possible gadgets and technology.
This has been an issue with some of my friends kids. I can’t believe how out of control its gotten.
My sister and her hubby have a 9 year old who’s always using their iPhones. God knows what this kid is searching on the web and what he comes across. It’s kind of scary thinking about it and he’s very smart and aware of things so I just hope he is not stumbling onto some crazy adult natured things on the web. I will certainly warn her about this one!
Fix Your iTunes recently posted..Fix iPhone Music In iTunes- Add Album Artwork
If I had a chance I’d blame the parents, not the kid!
TechChunks recently posted..How to Fix iPhone Alarm’s Daylight Savings Time Bug
Twitter: rohitbatra14
says:
I will recommend kid’s parents to atleast keep checking wat the kid does on web…..at dis Age having an iPhone can be dangerous for him also……
I also agree with @TechChunks fault is of Parents not of Kid…you should not give such gadgets at this Age..He can get Addicted to it also…which is Hazardous to Health also…
Rohit | Ipod Touch 4G recently posted..Clock App for iPod Touch 4G
Twitter: _robinsonc
says:
“But common sense can still be applied”. Great article and must read by parents in this era.
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Guess you meant – “must read by parents” when you said “must read my parents”!
TechChunks recently posted..Tech Mystery – 1928 Chaplin Movie Shows Lady Using Mobile Phone
Twitter: rohitbatra14
says:
nice catch @techchunks….i guess he meant “must read by Parents”..
Rohit | Ipod Touch 4G recently posted..Clock App for iPod Touch 4G
Twitter: _robinsonc
says:
Exactly guys.. my bad.. whew..
Shiva can you edit the comment ?
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If I was a kid, I would have hated this post. ;P Nice information on parental control bro!
Me too
But I’m sure that everything mentioned here is right and should be applied if we, parents or future parents, don’t want to spoil our children psychic. But in reality it is really hard to do…:(
First of all, why would you give your “CHILD” a smartphone with internet access?
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Hi Shiva Chettri,
Thanks for tackling this present issues about technology and how we should take our responsibilities towards our children. Setting boundaries is really important. Even my 3-year old nephew already knew how to turn on the music player of my iPhone and how to take shots with its built-in camera. Funny it seems to know that he is more knowledgeable at his very young age. Exposing children to this area isn’t that good or right at their age. Many children now-a-days loses their values when they are exposed to adult contents and movies that are not suited for them to watch.
What about TVs and Computers??
Ayush recently posted..Dell XCD28 Smartphone Comes to India
Agree, specially teenagers because most of the time they go online unsupervised.. It’s always a good idea to teach them some online safety tips and make them understand what’s out there..
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Our children often understand technology better than we do. They know how to erase their history, and other things that many parents would not think about. I do not think giving them a smartphone is the way to go. If your child has to have a phone, then get them one that is simple. they do not need internet access away from home.
This is really good post. I had not thought about it, but I probably should have. My son is not even 4, and he is wanting a cell phone since all the adults he knows has one. My son thinks he is a little adult, since he is only around adults. ha/ha. I do not think he will get a smart phone, but I know having a phone is important to keep in touch with your children, but don’t need something like a smart phone. A child will want to text, but that does not mean they need to surf web.