What Parents Need to Consider Before Gifting Smartphones This Holiday Season by Gabriella van Rij

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this post, free of charge,from Pitch Pr and the author, for blog posting purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it


christmas reindeer scary

With Christmas just days away, many of you may still be deciding on whether or not to get your kids a cell phone.This post will help you with that decision!


cell phone


Let’s face it, smartphones make our lives convenient, so it shouldn’t surprise us when kids want in on the action too.

Planning to get your kid that smartphone he or she has been asking for?

Before you do, consider the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to gifting smartphones and other digital devices.

Here are some things to be aware of:

 Smartphones can be weapons in the wrong hands and can be used to humiliate and bully.

girl with cell phone

 Cyberbullying on social media is a real thing, and parents must keep an eye out for signs that their child is a victim of cyber torment, or possibly that they are the instigators.

 Parents who give smartphones as a gift must accompany the gift with teaching their children about social media etiquette and healthy online conduct. Give them a phone, but then keep the charger, and allow them only one full charge per day. If it runs out of batteries, let them get into a different activity!

cell phone contract
(the one above from Thirty Hand Made Days is the one I based ours on)

 Smartphones can stifle family conversations, so agree with your child on some smartphone-free times before you give that smartphone as a gift.  For example, make it a rule that during mealtimes phones are completely turned off (not even on vibrate mode, but totally OFF) and put in a pile in a different room.

 Most importantly, remember you are the example – they see your social media profile and online behavior and are likely to replicate it.

computers

What's a good way to teach social media etiquette and healthy online conduct?

This might sound old-fashioned, but the best way to do this is by being kind, open, and gentle in your comments not only on social media, but also in your interactions with everyone. There shouldn’t be a double standard. And when you see someone being unkind in real life, be an active witness. Don’t do nothing! Do something. Say something, be active…

Remember you are the example. They see your social media profile and online behavior and are likely to replicate it.

bullying effect

How can you tell if a child is a victim of cyber torment?

 Isolation. For example, when you pick your child up from school, does she frequently stand by herself, apart from her classmates? Sometimes, a student will isolate herself if she feels she is being ignored or ridiculed.

 Mood swings or loss of interest in previously anticipated activities. Being harassed online can consume your thoughts, upset your emotions, and cause loss of appetite and concentration.

 Overly aggressive behavior and mean speech. Students will mimic what they see being modeled around them. If your child is hurting, his actions will show it. Connect with your child’s emotions.

man reading tablet

What kinds of behavior might adults be engaged in that kids will model?

Bad language and strong opinions. Which is particularly true here in the U.S. during election season when emotions run rampant. Teach your child that we all judge, and we have a right to our opinions, but we need to use wisdom as to when and how to voice what we think. Tell your child how you feel about what is going on. Use those moments when they see something you wish they hadn’t as a platform to open the discussion.

Another thing: I see a lot of venting and emotional rants online, which just isn’t smart because that’s exactly when we say stuff we don’t really mean because we’re just trying to get it off our chest. But you can’t just say, “Sally, don’t vent online!” You need to also provide an alternative safe place where they feel they can be heard.Also, emphasize re-reading comments before hitting enter.

Set guidelines before gifting a tablet or smartphone,
and it will be a great experience for you and your kids!




ABOUT GABRIELLA VAN RIJ: 

The leading voice of the Kindness movement, Gabriella works to spread the message that we are all unique and we each have something to offer the person next to us. She has a non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation in the US and is based in Los Angeles, California.

Comments

  1. I am absolutely baffled and amazed at the age of some children that I see with phones of their own. I don't think that young children have the decision processes necessary to handle a phone unless it is blocked everywhere. Crazy as it sounds, my generation managed to grown up just fine without them. Just my opinions. :-)

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