12 steps to prepare a child for their first phone

At a certain point, the question of owning a mobile phone becomes a topic in many families. Some parents give their child their first phone at a younger school age, while others try to avoid it as long as possible. There is no single correct solution. It is always a decision for the parents and depends on their experiences, values, and the maturity of the child.

Another factor comes into play. Today, a mobile phone is not just a toy but also a practical tool. It can help a child stay in touch with friends, find their way home, or quickly contact family. However, it also opens the world of the internet, where one needs to know how to behave safely.

Therefore, it makes sense to consider when the right time is and how to prepare a child for their own mobile phone. In this article, we will go through twelve steps that help set healthy habits and ensure the child can use their first phone without unnecessary risks.

1. Determine if the child is ready for their first mobile

Readiness is recognized by behavior, not age. The child should be able to handle agreements, take care of their belongings, and say when something is wrong. If they independently manage minor situations and know when to ask for help, they can also handle the basic responsibilities associated with the device.

It is practical to observe how they react to new or unpleasant stimuli. They recognize when they don't feel well. They can stop when it's too much. They understand that not every person is automatically safe. If this is not yet successful, it is better to postpone the purchase of the first phone for children.

2. Choose a suitable phone for children: simple mobile or smartphone?

A simple button mobile is a good start for children who are just learning to use their own device. It is straightforward, without internet, and primarily serves to communicate with parents.

A smartphone offers more options but also requires more independence. It can be useful for navigation, communication with classmates, or school applications. Always choose a mobile phone based on the situations the child can handle, not what their classmates use.

3. Agree on usage rules

It is good to agree in advance when the phone is used and when not. It helps the child to know that the phone has its place in the daily routine and there is no ambiguity associated with it. Typically, it is advisable to set rules for the time before sleep, school regime, or family situations where the phone does not belong.

It's also useful to establish what constitutes necessary communication and what does not. The child will quickly understand what they can use the first mobile for, without negatively affecting their routine.

4. Explain to the child what not to share online

The child needs to understand that some information does not belong on the internet. Addresses or pictures from home are sensitive and can be easily abused. It helps to go through specific examples of situations where someone asks for personal data, even if they seem friendly.

A simple rule of practice: if the child is unsure if something is appropriate to share, they should stop and discuss it. This provides a foundation for safe use of their first phone.

5. Teach the child to communicate safely via mobile

With unfamiliar numbers or suspicious messages, it's enough to adhere to one rule: do not respond and ask parents. The child should know that some messages may be false, intentionally misleading, or unpleasant.

It is also worth discussing that basic courtesy applies online too. If communication goes awry or the child is uncertain how to respond, it is safer to break off communication and solve the situation with a parent rather than continue with something unpleasant.

6. Discuss the risks of social networks together

Social networks are places where reality is mixed with what people want to show. The child should know that not all content is true, not every contact is safe, and not every trend makes sense to follow.

A practical example: when a child receives an invitation to a group where classmates are being talked about behind their backs, they should know it's okay to leave and talk about the situation at home. Such scenarios are often challenging for children because they fear others' reactions.

7. Select appropriate apps

Start only with apps that the child really needs. Calling, messaging, school portals, or simple navigation are sufficient for starters. Suspicious gaming apps or tools with open chats are unnecessary risks at the beginning.

It's useful to set restrictions for downloading new apps. This way, the child learns that new things on the phone do not appear on their own but through agreement. This keeps their first phone organized and safe.

8. Teach the child to recognize cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can appear inconspicuous. Mocking messages, repeated insults, sharing photos without permission, or adding the child to groups where they are mocked by others. It is important for the child to know that this is not normal behavior.

A practical rule: do not respond, take a screenshot, and discuss it with parents. When a child understands how to proceed in such situations, they don't have to face them alone.

9. Set reasonable screen time

It's helpful to agree on certain moments of the day when the phone will be set aside. Morning preparation, homework, family meals, or evening relaxation are natural points when the phone should remain out of reach.

The child also needs to understand why. Prolonged staring at the screen tires the eyes, impairs focus, and easily subtracts time from activities the child needs for mental and physical balance.

10. Agree on the level of control over the first phone

Parents should explain what the oversight entails and why it exists. The child thus understands that control is not a punishment but a way to avoid risks they do not yet know. It is common to monitor contact lists, used apps, or privacy settings.

Ideally, the oversight should gradually decrease as the child manages situations independently. Ongoing agreement helps to ensure that a child's first phone aids in gradually gaining healthy independence.

11. Prepare the child for what to do in case of problems

The child should be clear on what to do when encountering a problem. A message from an unfamiliar number, suspicious link, an app that seeks something odd, or content that makes them feel uncomfortable. The basics are simple: don't click, don't respond.

It is important to reiterate that no question they ask is foolish. When the child knows that their uncertainty prompts a conversation, they can navigate the digital environment much safer.

12. Gradually relax the rules of using the first phone

As the child gains experience, you can provide more options. Whether it's selecting certain applications, broader communication with classmates, or less frequent checking. Gradual relaxation helps to ensure that a child's first mobile has clear rules but also room for growth.

It's beneficial to occasionally discuss what works well and what needs adjustment. Rules thus remain a natural part of using the phone, not a source of unnecessary conflict.