3 Things to Consider When Buying Your Child’s First Smartphone

Child’s First Smartphone: Smartphones have made communication easier for people, especially in times of emergencies. Giving your child a phone allows them to take on a more independent role. You can start letting them visit their friends’ houses on their own or text you when you need to pick them up from school. However, the perks of technology come with a set of downsides. Phone addiction has become a rising problem among the youth, and you wouldn’t want to let your child fall into the same patterns.

While many parents choose to keep their children away from devices completely, some kids benefit from controlled exposure. If the same is true for your little one, consider buying them one that will serve its function and grant a bit of enjoyment when using it. Controlled usage may help them develop good smartphone habits and not go overboard!

3 Things You Need to Look for When Buying Your Child’s First Smartphone

Buying a phone for your child should involve some research. Here are a few things you should consider:

1. Make and Model the Child’s First Smartphone

Most kids that grew up in the rising era of phones were given devices that could only call and text. However, the fact that you grew up with a basic phone does not mean that you have to deny your kid an actual smartphone that can take photos, have access to the internet, and can hold other contact apps and social media. 

For this, you need a good brand phone to ensure that it’s durable and can last for years and high tech enough to perform basic functions of a smartphone. 

2. Price and Plan

Budgeting is everything when you have kids. If you don’t want to spoil your child, you don’t have to get them the latest model that their favourite influences have. Keep function as a top priority.

Remember that these phones are primarily for emergencies and communication. 

Plans and prices may differ according to their quality, functions, and brand. You don’t want to go for the phones that are too cheap that could break down in only a matter of months. 

If your kid wants the latest model that’s beyond the reasonable budget, you can have them work a bit extra for it. Have them save half of their allowance for it or let them pay it off. At the very least, this instills the value into them that you have to work to afford the best luxuries in life.

3. Features

Ask as many questions about the features as you possibly can to the sales clerk in charge. See if it’s possible to place restrictions on the phone, such as time restrictions and content blocks. It also helps if your child has a smartphone with a strong battery, sufficient storage space, and reasonable speed. 

Conclusion

There’s still much debate on how old a child can be to get their own phone, but that depends on you as a parent who knows your child more than anybody else. If you feel like your child is responsible enough to carry one around for emergencies, then get them a phone by all means. But just because they’re mature enough to handle a phone, doesn’t mean that they won’t be a little rough with them.

Kids, no matter how old they are, tend to be reckless when it comes to handling their stuff. They will need proper phone protection in case it falls on the floor–or anywhere worse than that. Mobile Shark has the best deals for smartphone cases and screen protectors that will keep their devices in good condition for longer. Shop now!