1. Set some rules!
Just like with rules in your home, start with some ground rules about their new mobile. Outline your expectation of their behaviour and the consequences (like losing all apps, or data allowances) if they break them.
– How long they should spend online?
– What apps and social media sites can they use and have on their phone? Make sure you have researched them thoroughly and discuss potential issues that may arise.
– What is appropriate content to view?
– Will you (the parent) review all content each week? Read texts and messages?
2. Have a chat about what they’d like to use their phone for
– Who are they talking to?
– What’s involved?
– Who’s in their network?
– What information do they share?
– Are they using the internet to learn? To communicate and create friendships with others? To create music or videos?
Show a genuine interest in the things they’re doing; in the long-run it will help you understand what their online environment looks like.
3. If you don’t understand it – try it!
Sign up to any apps or games yourself and get to know what it’s about. You can even ask your child to show you because chances are they’ll be 10x more savvy at Snapchat than you.
4. Make a plan for unwanted messages
Some good ideas to abide by. Don’t reply to any nasty messages you receive, texts from someone/a number you don’t know, or calls from withheld numbers. If it’s important, they’ll leave a voicemail.
5. Make a plan for bullying
Remind your child that messages sent on their phone are as important as the words they speak to their friends. If they are being bullied on their phone it’s important they come to you or another trusted adult.
Ensure your child knows to keep messages they’ve been sent, and keep the time and date of any calls/messages in case they need further investigation.
