I have always been bombarded with advice on how to raise children. Not because I am the top expert but because I have children older than theirs and/or they have noticed how my children behaved when we were out together.
I can’t deny that everywhere we look, we see information that suggests the way how we should approach child-rearing to be the best way. It’s easy to feel like there must be something right about this advice, so we try to implement as many methods as possible.
However, every family has their own parenting style that works for them and their family. I always advise the parents it’s important to not just listen to other people’s advice, but also test it out themselves and make sure it feels right for them and the family.
That said, many of the tips we read are contradictory or unnecessary. In some cases, even the benefits of following certain strategies aren’t clear-cut or obvious. As a parent looking for ways to raise your child in the best way possible, how much should you trust what you read?
Here are the top 3 points parents should consider before allowing their kids to have cell phones:
1. What is the goal of allowing cell phone use?
When deciding whether or how to allow your child to use a cell phone, ask yourself what your goals are for allowing this access.
I started allowing my children to have access to their cell phones when I wanted to contact them when they are out attending lessons and I need to reach them to find out when to pick them up.
Another reason is for allowing my children to be able to communicate with others in an emergency or make plans with friends, to stay connected to the world and their daily activities. This way, the cell phone can be a useful part of their life.
If you want your child to be better at technology, then allowing them to use a cell phone is not the way to go about it.
2. Talk to your children about cell phones before letting them have one
Before I allow my children to have their own cell phones, it is very important to sit down and talk to them about the use of cell phones, regardless of age.
I’m a tech mama and I am very open and honest about online habits. Children nowadays are pretty savvy and even though they may not have a cell phone at that moment, they do know what people are doing online, especially on social media.
Before allowing them to own one, I talk to my children openly about the dangers of online bullying and how to respect others online and offline. It is also important to make sure that they know how to properly handle a cell phone and how to stay safe while using them.
3. SET RULES for cell phone usage
This is the most important point to note! Always remember to set rules before handing the phone over.
The most important rule is how much time is allowed to use their cell phone. Make sure that they know when they can use it, and how long they can talk or use it for. You can set rules for when your child can use their cell phone for certain activities, like talking to you, friends, or other family members or for online activities, such as discussions of school work.
I also make sure that my children know to not share their phones or any personal details with other people. Privacy is important and to be respected!
Summary
There is no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to cell phone use because every family is different and has different needs. The best thing parents can do is talk to their children about the phone and set rules for how they can use it.
This way, you can make sure that your child is using the phone safely and appropriately, and is being connected to real-life interactions instead of just being connected to the internet. You can also keep in mind that there are no perfect parenting rules, and there will always be exceptions to rules.
Conclusion
While it’s great to read parenting advice, it’s equally important to try things out for yourself and find the methods that work best for your family. I have realised that the internet is full of parenting advice, but it’s also full of contradictory information.
As a result, it’s important to try out different parenting methods and see which ones work best for you and your family. Once you’ve figured out what works best for you and your family, you can help other families as well. This can be done by sharing tips on social media and by talking to your friends and family about parenting. This way, everyone can benefit from these tips. Agree?