Tips for parentsSmartphone to start school - a good idea?
Is my child old enough to have their own smartphone?
Many parents want a clear answer to this question in terms of age. However, it makes more sense to look at the child's stage of development than the age.
With the klicksafe checklist "Is my child ready for their own smartphone?", parents can check alone or together with their child whether they are ready for a smartphone or not. The more points on the checklist you can tick, the sooner your child is ready for their own smartphone. We recommend that parents discuss the outstanding points with their child in detail.
How can I make smartphones childproof?
There is no such thing as complete protection against negative content and experiences when using a smartphone. Nevertheless, it is highly advisable to make full use of the technical protection measures available.
In our topic area, we give parents an overview of the basic functions of parental control programs. We also explain why technical solutions cannot replace child-oriented and dialog-based media education.
The klicksafe info sheet "Technical settings: Smartphone and tablet" provides parents with instructions on the most important parental control settings on devices with the iOS and Android operating systems.
In the video series "mobil & safe", together with mobilsicher.de, we provide information in ten videos on how to set smartphones securely. There are also tips on the correct settings in various apps and messengers.
What rules about the smartphone are important?
With a smartphone, children potentially have access to the entire Internet. However, in addition to all the exciting and entertaining things, this also includes a whole range of impairing or dangerous content. It doesn't make sense to wait until the first problems arise. Rather, parents can beproactive in talking about possible dangers and pointing out options for action. Due to the wide range of risks(cybergrooming, cyberbullying, hate speech, fake news and much more), not all issues can be addressed in a single conversation. Therefore, parents must be prepared to stay in a continuous exchange with the child to accompany online activities. To avoid constant discussions about smartphone use in families, jointly created rules can help. The following materials provide parents with further useful tips on this.
With the Flyer for the media usage contract families can individually determine which media may be used when and for how long. The flyer is available for download or as a print version for ordering.
The brochure "The first smartphone - how can I protect my child from sexual violence on the internet?" helps parents to deal with the risks of sexual assault at an early stage. The brochure is available to download or order as a print version.
Are smartwatches a good alternative?
Some parents are not sure whether their child is ready for their own smartphone. In this case, a smartwatch can seem like a good middle ground. This is because, unlike smartphones, they do not offer comprehensive access to the internet. Depending on the device, the functions are limited to making calls and writing messages. There are now also some models that are marketed specifically to children (or their parents). Parents can set up these devices individually. For example, they can decide which numbers their child is allowed to call.
Whether a smartwatch is a sensible alternative also depends on why the child wants a smartphone. After all, a smartphone is much more than just a communication device. Without a smartphone, children miss out on what happens in the class chat. They can't have a say when it comes to the latest mobile games. And last but not least, a smartphone is also a coveted status symbol. Parents should discuss with their children what purpose a smartphone should fulfill in their child's life. You can then consider whether a smartwatch offers a sensible alternative.
One critical aspect of smartwatches is that they allow parents to monitor their children. Smartwatches are usually equipped with a GPS tracker. This allows parents to see where their child is or which route they have taken. In our Smartwatch topic we provide detailed information on what parents should consider when equipping their child with a smartwatch.
