When Is The Right Time To Get Your Kids A Smartphone?

My buddy was considering getting his kids smartphones for their birthday. First of all, he is cheap so they wouldn't be top of the line. He was also asking me, he is a know it all. He wondered if they were too young, and what he could do to keep them safe. I told him I read up on it and here's what I found out.

He had a talk with them about what they wanted to do with their phones, how they would take care of their phones, they would check in with their phones, and if they went over their minutes and were charged......they would pay for it with their allowance.

This is the same man that did the same test for the puppy they wanted. Yes Dad, we will take care of it, walk it, pick up after it, train it, etc.  Now they have a puppy that loves him because he is feeding it and taking care of it.

He won't give the sex talk to them because he is afraid of what questions they will come up with. What could they possibly ask that you don't know, I thought, I've heard you talk about sex for years to me. Most kids have a small knowledge from school, and their friends, your job is to clear the confusion. He said the biggest stumbling block is he doesn't want his kids to know that's what's happening with him and his wife....ugh!!

So, he is getting them smart phones, how do you know if your kids are ready?

According to cafemom.com, make sure you know they aren't going to fool around and attract the wrong people. Services like My Mobile Watchdog and others allow parents to access text messages, call logs, and contacts, and to block websites and apps; many smartphones are also equipped with built-in parental controls that can help you to make sure your kids aren't being targeted by predators or exposed to inappropriate content.

That is the key. If they will have it so you can get a hold of them and they of you, or they might text their friends a little, then you know they are ready, if they want to check out what the internet has to offer, you need to talk to them, and maybe delay the phone.