Is Your Child Ready for a Smartphone?

Is Your Child Ready for a Smartphone?

If you’re like us, you’ve read all the parenting articles you can find about kids and smartphones – but you still have questions. Like, what age is appropriate for my child to have their own phone? Or, is it safe to give my middle schooler a smartphone?

There are many factors that may influence your decision to hand your kid a cell phone and those could include:

• Need for communication before, during or after school 
• The ability for your child to contact you in an emergency (or vice versa) 
• Assistance in coordinating pick-up/drop-off details for school or extracurricular events 
• Extended trips, summer camp or overnight stays at friends’ houses 
• Weekend or joint custody with a co-parent 
• The ability for kids to talk to school friends without borrowing your own device

Here at Zift, we’ve compiled information from parents and parenting experts to help guide you through this journey, to help you determine when your child is ready for their first phone.

In this guide, you'll learn:

1. How to Keep Connected Kids Safe
   There are plenty of benefits for being able to contact your child whenever you need to, but there are also dangers to consider before giving your child access to a smartphone.
    
2. 3 Questions Parents Should Ask Before Purchasing
   With all the flexible plans and multi-phone discounts available today, it may be easy and affordable to add a smartphone line for your child, but make sure you ask these questions first.
    
3. The Pros & Cons of Kids Using Smartphones
   Once you’ve gotten through the key questions, you now need to consider the pros and cons of placing a phone into your child’s hands on a regular basis.
    
4. Smart Rules for Smartphone Users
   Since your child may not know or understand these rules yet, have a conversation with them when handing over their new device. 
    
5. 6 Things to Consider Before Getting Your Child a Smartphone
   Discover the six things you should question before handing over a phone to your child.
    
6. Smartphone Family Contract
   Set expectations for your family's smartphone use.

To learn more, download our FREE parent guide below.