• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Working Mom Blog | Outside the Box Mom

making life easier for working moms

  • Home
  • Home Life
    • Cleaning
    • Decor
    • Home Improvement
    • Laundry
    • Organizing
    • Save Money at Home
  • Meals
    • Cooking Shortcuts
    • Grocery Shopping
    • Health
    • Meal Planning
    • Recipes
    • Save Money on Meals
  • Work
    • Blogging
    • Entrepreneur Mom
    • New Working Mom
    • Unemployment
    • Work at Home
    • Work / Life Balance
  • Mom
    • Beauty, Style, and Fashion
    • Faith
    • Health
    • Me Time
    • Productivity
  • Family
    • Childcare
    • Digital Life
    • Education
    • Family Time
    • Hobbies
    • Holidays
    • Marriage
      • Marriage Advice
    • Parenting
    • Travel
  • Finances
  • About
    • About Raki Wright
    • Disclosure Policy
    • My Communities:
    • Outside The Box Mom Resources
    • Parties I Link To
    • Privacy Policy | Privacy Notice
  • Contact
  • Shop

Things to Consider When Giving Your Child His or Her First Mobile Phone

This post may contain affiliate links. Read full disclosure.

by RAKI WRIGHT

2 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

If you are the parent of a tween or teen who has a cell phone, read this guide on plans, protection, restrictions, and insurance.

parents-guide-to-kids-and-cell-phones

This is a guest post by Laura Ginn.

Mobile phones are great devices for both parents and their children because they keep everyone connected no matter where they go. Parents can keep tabs on their children while they’re out with friends, and their children can get in touch with parents right away in an emergency.

Some parents choose to give their children their own mobile phones at a very young age, such as around 8 years old, while others wait until their children are older, such as in their teenage years. But, no matter what age you think is most appropriate for a child to have his or her own mobile phone, there are things to consider when giving your child his or her first phone. Read on to learn more about what precautions you should take when purchasing a phone for your young son or daughter.

Choose the Right Mobile Phone Service Plan

Mobile phone service plans can become quite costly, especially as you add on unlimited data plans and unlimited calls and texts. When it comes to a young child who’s still in elementary school, however, there’s no need for such elaborate and expensive plans. In fact, you can most likely get away with the cheapest plan available and potentially avoid having a data plan tacked onto the bill as well. After all, the main purpose of a mobile phone for your young son or daughter is to keep in touch with you and to have a means of calling for help during an emergency. He or she shouldn’t be surfing the internet or spending a lot of time on the phone or texting with friends, especially if you have a landline at home that allows him or her to do that at a much lower cost to you.

Set Firm Restrictions on Use

Set restrictions for how your child is allowed to use his or her own mobile phone. Let him or her know that the service plan only covers a specific amount of texts and minutes. Also, make him or her aware of any data restrictions so that he or she won’t try surfing the internet if it isn’t allowed. Making sure your child is aware of these restrictions in the first place will prevent him or her from abusing the device in the long run, and costing you money as a result.

Get a Protective Case for the Phone

A protective case is a worthwhile investment, especially for a mobile phone that will be used by a young child who may not know how to properly care for it right away. The case can keep the phone from becoming damaged as a result of drops or being placed inside backpacks at school, for example, thereby securing your investment.

Think About Getting Insurance

There are, indeed, many options available when it comes to cheap mobile insurance, and this is definitely a worthwhile investment if your phone will be used by your young child. In the event anything happens to the device, your insurance will have you covered, much like your car insurance covers you in the event of a car crash or vandalism.

Laura Ginn is a writer who knows how important it is for children today to have mobile phones to use to call home. But parents need to be firm in setting restrictions on use so that the devices do not end up being abused by children who feel spoiled by them.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
RAKI WRIGHT
Raki's Google Profile
Latest posts by RAKI WRIGHT (see all)
  • Essential Questions to Ask Your Rental Housing Provider -
  • How to Find an Egg Donor that Looks Like You -
  • Moms, Get In The Picture -

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Children & Responsibility, Household Rules, Internet, Kids & Cell Phones, Teens, Tweens

Previous Post: « Super Dollar Discount Foods Deals: June 9-15
Next Post: Paleo & Primal Ebooks »

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Busy Mom’s Guide to Easy Back to School Prep says:
    at

    […] Things to Consider When Giving Your Child His or Her First Mobile Phone – If you are the parent of a tween or teen who has a cell phone, read this guide on plans, protection, restrictions, and insurance. […]

  2. Internet Safety for Kids says:
    at

    […] Related: Things to Consider When Giving Your Child His or Her First Mobile Phone […]

  3. 6 Things You Need to Monitor on Your Child’s Cell Phone says:
    at

    […] logs are document who your kids are interacting with. However, instead of checking your kid’s phone and making them feel like you don’t trust them enough, now you can do this remotely via spy […]

Primary Sidebar

Welcome! I'm Raki. I am a working mom of 2 (20-year old son and 13-year old daughter). I share tips to balance work, family, and make time for you. More...

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Footer

What are you looking for?

Stock images by depositphotos.

Enter your email address to get the best time-saving tips and solutions for busy, working moms in your inbox.

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

2 shares