You may have noticed that I am all about family safety. This includes physical safety, online safety, and mobile safety. It is very common for teens, tweens, and even younger to have cell phones or even smartphones. Parents want to ensure that they can get in touch with their children at all times. And of course kids want to be one of the in crowd. Some parents may still be of the belief that kids to do not need cell phones, but if you really think about it you just might change your mind.
When I was in high school I took the bus over an hour away to attend one of the best schools in the Chicago area. This took me through many neighborhoods, some not all that great. It was a long trip that was taken in the warm weather, rain, and even snow and freezing cold temps. There were a few incidents that arouse that if I had a cell phone I could have called my mother or father to come and get me right away. Or I could have called to alert them that I would be late.
Two incidents stick out the most. The worst was during a blizzard when the bus that I was on broke down on Lake Shore Drive shortly after leaving Downtown Chicago. We got out of school at 2:46pm. I think we got home after 7:00pm that evening. There was no way to reach our mothers because we sure as heck were not getting off the bus and walking back through the blizzard to reach a pay phone downtown. Luckily we did make it safely, although freezing and hours late. But, our mothers were worried beyond belief by the time we got there.
In my post, Keeping Your Gadgets Safe While Traveling, I gave some tips on protecting your actual devices. But, what about the people that use those devices?
If your child travels to and from school or to extra curricular activities by themselves, giving them a smartphone can help with your piece of mind. This is even more important now in the summer when kids may be going to camp, hanging with friends, and exploring the city more on their own.
Make sure that you consider the following tips:
1. Pick a Great Smartphone – A good smartphone allows you to use tools to help keep your kids safe. An Android phone like the HTC One S is a great example.
2.Use Family Safety Software – T-Mobile's FamilyWhere app for Android phones can be downloaded for FREE from the Google Play store. The app uses GPS location services to show you where your family members are located. Parents can setup scheduled alerts that will send you a location update at a specified time so you know if your child got to school or home safely.
3. Use Parental Control Software – You worry about what websites they visit on their computer, so you should also worry about what websites they visit on their smartphone. WebGuard is parental controls for the smartphone. You can limit the sites they can and cannot visit.
2. Lay Out the Rules – Make sure that your child knows how many minutes they can use per month. Explain how important it is to stay within those limits. And just to be sure, set limits on their phone using the Family Allowances feature in your T-Mobile account settings… but you don't have to tell them. 🙂
3. Program in Important Numbers – Before gifting your child with a phone program in important numbers like Mom, Dad, Grandma, Cab Service, and other useful numbers that they should know.
4. Familiarize Yourself With the Phone – Yes, it is true that your teen will probably be a whiz at using the phone right away, but make sure that you know how to use it too. Not only so that you can answer questions, but so if a problem arises and you need to check the phone for iffy content, you know how.
5. Sign Up For a Great Family Plan – T-Mobile offers some great plans for the whole family. Choose one that works for your family.
These are just a few tips. What are some of your suggestions?
The Giveaway
Just for reading this awesome information on keeping your family safe during the summer, T-Mobile wants to give one of my readers a truly AWESOME T-Mobile Springboard tablet.
Key Features
- 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
- 16GB of internal memory with 32GB of expandable memory and a
- 5MP rear-facing camera,
- Stunning 7″ HD multi-touch display, the ultra-portable TMobile
- 4G connectivity
commented on this earlier, but it’s still awaiting moderation. great giveaway, thanks so much for the chance! 🙂
My biggest question is cost to buy and cost per month
Whats it going to cost to use & is it easy to use.
Biggest question is the cost of the data plan
what does the warranty cover! and can i buy an extended warranty!
My biggest question would of course be cost, is it wifi capable and is it the appropriate device for what it is being used for.
Will they know how to use the product, and if not, can they go to store and ask.
My biggest question would be what safeguards the technology has to protect privacy and personal information on a wireless connection!
how much is it? LOL and is it something they will know how to use
Is it going to be fast enough and how much is it?
Which is the best tablet for surfing the net?
i want to know how much memory it has.. super important!
How the quality is and how long it will last!!
Is it easy to set up?
austma7@aol.com
Thank you, Great Information here, I have been with t mobile for Over Ten 10 Years now.and both Mt daughters have there own cell phones so we can always be i’m touch.I Trust T mobile to Keep my Family and me Connected.
HOW EASY IS IT FOR ME TO USE ?
shebebes@yahoo.com
I certainly will think more about the importance of kids having a cell phone now… maybe not at my kids’ ages, but certainly sooner than I originally was planning on!
I’m always concerned about the price of the service contract.
The quality of the display & the quality of the pictures it takes if it has a camera
Does it have WiFi access?
What is the battery life?
Is the set up simple
Will I need to purchase additional products for it to work.
if it requires a monthly plan or can be used with just wifi
If I buy electronics as a gift I want to know if the gift will cost the recipient extra funds. Can they Use it if they do not have a credit card.
How expensive it will be.
Can it be returned? LOL
the biggest question is if it has warranity
Is there a monthly fee for wifi usage?
My biggest question is how much the data plan costs
The biggest question I have when buying a wireless gadget for someone is the features that it comes with, like a camera or being able to watch tv, etc…because you want to make sure that person is going to use it in their daily routine, whether its for work or play.
I always question if the person I am giving it to will find the device useful enough.
The springboard tablet sounds like it is a much better tablet than the ipad. After reading your review of how to keep ourselves safe, as well as family members, it sounds like t-mobile is much better than all the other companies out there.
How long before it becomes obsolete?
Wireless set up info such as wifi signals, security, any additional hardware required, what to do when it locks up
I like to know how fast and efficient the wireless product is
can the person take it back if they dont liked it.
Is this really what they want? or are they already planning to get this?
My biggest question is if it is complicated to use and do they have good customer service that can guide me if I need help.
Thanks so much. What a wonderful prize.
is there a data plan with it
Will I be able to access the internet from anywhere even if I’m out of state?
Hooray for winners !!
What’s the warranty on the product and how user friendly is it
kport207 at gmail dot com
how easy is it to get going
Sigh…I used to be techno-savvy, and now i have to ask my kids for help. I need to know WHAT to buy and what it will do. I want to know the good vs bad brands, and how many GB I truly need…
My fear is that it will be easy enough to use.
HOw easy is it to set up.
how fast is it?
my biggest question is if it will be fast enough
Excellent info!! Great insight on kids with phones.
Well finances are big for me, so I have to be looking for the best deal. After that would be what kind of warranty.
The biggest question I have before buying a wireless product as a gift is, does the person receiving the gift already have a similar wireless product? If they do, I would want to know what they like and dislike about it so I can find them a product that is better at fulfill their needs. If they do not have a wireless product I would ask question to see what their needs are. When actually choosing the product the first thing I would want to know is if it is HDMI capable.
Choosing a wireless product as a gift can be pretty difficult. I know what I want and need but what do they want/need? The main person I buy for is my mother. The biggest question is “What exactly do you want to use this device for?” That’s going to help me decide things such as (e.g., in the case of a tablet) WiFi only or WiFi plus 3/4G capable and minimum storage capacity (can’t keep deleting apps to add new ones).
Wow, great suggestions. I also think that for certain ages the phone should be taken at night. The last thing you need is a cranky kid at school because they have been up texting or playing angry birds all night.
i always wonder if it will be a nightmare to set up