{"id":7054241,"date":"2026-09-01T21:53:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T21:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/how-to-give-kids-a-healthy-start-with-phones\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T21:53:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T21:53:10","slug":"how-to-give-kids-a-healthy-start-with-phones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7054241","title":{"rendered":"How To Give Kids A Healthy Start With Phones"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Our kids are officially of the age where they’re becoming “cellphone curious.” Our eldest ones are 10 (soon-to-be 11) and friends at school are beginning to sport everything from smart watches to flip phones and beyond. We all know that eventually they’ll need communication devices (especially if you’re raising “roam the streets” city kids like we are), but how will we know they’re ready? And more importantly, how will we know that\u00a0we’re\u00a0<\/em>ready to navigate this new online space with them?<\/p>\n

As part of our partnership with Google and YouTube for Safer Internet Month, we\u2019re exploring some of their <\/span>Be Internet Awesome resources<\/span><\/a> – with the goal of empowering kids (and parents) with tools and education to confidently and safely explore, grow, and play online.<\/span><\/p>\n

Deciding the appropriate time to hand your kids a device of their own can be tough to navigate. The following guide can help you talk about the responsibilities that come with having a device and what it means to be ready.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Smartphones 101<\/b><\/h2>\n

Start by asking your kids why they think phones are important. Try to go beyond answers like \u201cbecause everyone has one\u201d or \u201cit\u2019s just the way the world is now.\u201d The goal is for you to learn their perspective on how phones should be used.<\/span><\/p>\n

The role of smartphones in our day-to-day lives<\/b>
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Discuss with your kids how they would use their phone if and when they receive one. Are all of those uses important? Are there ways to do those things without a phone? Would a phone help solve real challenges your kids are experiencing?<\/span><\/p>\n

Describe expectations and responsibilities<\/b>
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Ask your kids to reflect on their own readiness and share your expectations for what they need to do in order to have their own phone. Share with your kids the realistic cost of a new phone, and discuss how you would handle it being lost or broken. You might also want to explain how a data plan and app purchases work, so they understand that even digital actions have real-life implications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are they ready?<\/b><\/h2>\n

<\/b><\/b>Finally, have your kids brainstorm ways they can demonstrate that they are ready for their own phone. For example, how will they keep track of their own screen time? Or, how will they be responsible for managing the app purchases on their device? The <\/span>Family Link<\/span><\/a> tool is a great resource that can help here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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