Back to school is a time when many parents take inventory of what their kids need. Let’s face it, we all want our children to succeed and do their best in and out of the classroom. Aside from fresh new sneakers, backpacks and pants (why do they grow so much in the summer?) it may also be a time for a new smart phone or if they have one, it’s a good time to review what they have and how they’ve been using it.
WHEN IT'S TIME TO GET THE FIRST SMART PHONE:
Looking to get that “first” smart phone? It’s a big step! I often get asked, “what’s the right age for a child to have a smart phone?”
The truth is, it really depends on the individual families and their needs. There’s a quick online quiz to help determine whether your child is ready. There’s even a personal “contract” created for parents to help manage expectations. Link here to the quiz: Is your child ready for a smart phone?
So, your child is ready? Now what? Not sure what kind of phone and plan is right for your child? When we started researching for our child’s first smart phone we had a list of questions. Do they need the latest and greatest? How much data do they need? TELUS has created a new Digital Rate Plan Builder online to get you started. It’s an easy to use tool that helps customize your personal or family smart phone plan needs taking a lot of the guess work out of the research phase.
While your child may prefer (okay, beg) for one brand over another it’s better to look at a variety of options for their first phone. Even within brands there are different releases that are worth exploring and can make a difference in contracts. It’s not easy BUT when a Telus in-store learning specialist mentioned to us that kids under the age of 16 have a greater chance of losing their phone within the first six months of ownership, it’s a an eye opening reality. Yes, we’ve been there.
WHEN IT’S TIME TO UPGRADE & REVIEW:
We’re currently reviewing our younger son’s smart phone situation. He’s had a year of owning a smart phone under his belt. As a family we agreed on a smart phone without data for the first year…yes, he survived. In order for him to earn data he knew he had to show responsibility. The priority for having a smart phone was for him to have the ability to communicate with us whether it be staying after school for extra help or asking to go to friend’s house for dinner. Also, we didn’t have to worry about YouTube videos or SnapChat distractions while being out. He knew he could still access the Internet on his smart phone when he was at home or log into free Wi-Fi at school or at other establishments like our favourite doughnut shop.
As we enter a new school year we’re now looking adjusting his plan and upgrading to add on data if he wants it. He has shown responsibility with his smart phone. But what’s right for him and us? I’ve already been thinking that we can take a look at our individual rate plans and working out an even more reasonable option together as a family. That Digital Rate Plan Builder is also handy for seeing how to accommodate the growing digital needs of our family.
Back to school is also good time to review general online safety both for you and your child. You’d be surprised how many parents also get caught off guard with unexpected social media activity including identity fraud and cyberbullying. TELUS WISE is a site that is filled with useful information and tips for everyone and it’s free. There are a variety of events worth joining as well including an upcoming virtual session set for September 14. It’s a discussion on smartphone safety that is open to adults, including parents, educators and caregivers.
So, are you and your kids smart phone ready? Here are some tips we’ve come up with to help ease in to school year with confidence:
- Check privacy settings, location tagging, and social media activity.
- Delete unused apps and update active apps.
- Review how much data each family member uses and adjust your plan if necessary to get the best offers available to you.
- Review family guidelines for smart phones.
- Get help if you need it! The digital world is constantly evolving. Don’t worry if you don’t understand but get help! TELUS WISE is a good place to start. It’s packed with informative resources developed in partnerhsip with Internet safety experts, like MediaSmarts, and offer useful guidelines to help keep every member of the family safe online.
*This post is sponsored by TELUS. However, all opinions expressed are my own.