• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Kris McDonald | Little Tech Girl
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Kris McDonald in the Press
  • Contact Me
    • Work With Me
  • Privacy & Disclosure Policy
  • Home Design & Tips
  • Tech
  • PR & Business
  • Travel
  • Home Tech, Design & Tips
  • Gardening
  • Hydroponics
You are here: Home / Tech / Win a Springboard Tablet from T-Mobile for Learning Mobile Safety

Win a Springboard Tablet from T-Mobile for Learning Mobile Safety

July 25, 2012 by Kris McDonald 55 Comments

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

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Filed Under: Tech

Kris McDonald is Chicago mom to 2 sets of twins, wife, photography nut, gadget addict, travel addict, and tech blogger who has worked in IT for over 20 years. She figured out a while ago that she was destined to be really busy (hence the 2 sets of twins), and she has found peace with that. Read More…

Previous Post: « Exclusive Invite to Join Embly’s Social Gifting Service with Giveaway
Next Post: Guest Post: Building the Ultimate Home Sound System »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jade tallen

    August 1, 2012 at 12:19 am

    commented on this earlier, but it’s still awaiting moderation. great giveaway, thanks so much for the chance! 🙂

    Reply
  2. DanV

    July 31, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    My biggest question is cost to buy and cost per month

    Reply
  3. Carol Buchman

    July 31, 2012 at 10:36 pm

    Whats it going to cost to use & is it easy to use.

    Reply
  4. Blake Kaplan

    July 31, 2012 at 10:12 pm

    Biggest question is the cost of the data plan

    Reply
  5. michelle colon

    July 31, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    what does the warranty cover! and can i buy an extended warranty!

    Reply
  6. ellen

    July 31, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    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.

    Reply
  7. Melissa T

    July 31, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    Will they know how to use the product, and if not, can they go to store and ask.

    Reply
  8. Geoff K

    July 31, 2012 at 9:50 pm

    My biggest question would be what safeguards the technology has to protect privacy and personal information on a wireless connection!

    Reply
  9. jules mcnubbin

    July 28, 2012 at 11:52 am

    how much is it? LOL and is it something they will know how to use

    Reply
  10. Sumer

    July 28, 2012 at 10:51 am

    Is it going to be fast enough and how much is it?

    Reply
  11. Guy Radford

    July 28, 2012 at 10:50 am

    Which is the best tablet for surfing the net?

    Reply
  12. courtney b

    July 28, 2012 at 10:44 am

    i want to know how much memory it has.. super important!

    Reply
  13. jeccica simpson

    July 28, 2012 at 10:44 am

    How the quality is and how long it will last!!

    Reply
  14. Kiara

    July 28, 2012 at 9:58 am

    Is it easy to set up?
    austma7@aol.com

    Reply
  15. cheri

    July 28, 2012 at 7:58 am

    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.

    Reply
  16. SHAYNA

    July 28, 2012 at 7:56 am

    HOW EASY IS IT FOR ME TO USE ?

    shebebes@yahoo.com

    Reply
  17. Ronni Roseman

    July 28, 2012 at 7:01 am

    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!

    Reply
  18. Cynthia C

    July 28, 2012 at 6:24 am

    I’m always concerned about the price of the service contract.

    Reply
  19. Karlene Shamir

    July 28, 2012 at 12:19 am

    The quality of the display & the quality of the pictures it takes if it has a camera

    Reply
  20. DARLA KIDDER

    July 28, 2012 at 12:05 am

    Does it have WiFi access?

    Reply
  21. Jennifer B.

    July 27, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    What is the battery life?

    Reply
  22. nickie

    July 27, 2012 at 11:04 pm

    Is the set up simple

    Reply
  23. Erika P.

    July 27, 2012 at 10:58 pm

    Will I need to purchase additional products for it to work.

    Reply
  24. dario

    July 27, 2012 at 10:53 pm

    if it requires a monthly plan or can be used with just wifi

    Reply
  25. Mildred Floyd

    July 27, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    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.

    Reply
  26. Jaclyn Reynolds

    July 27, 2012 at 10:18 pm

    How expensive it will be.

    Reply
  27. Jenna P

    July 27, 2012 at 10:17 pm

    Can it be returned? LOL

    Reply
  28. Elena

    July 27, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    the biggest question is if it has warranity

    Reply
  29. Kelly L

    July 27, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    Is there a monthly fee for wifi usage?

    Reply
  30. Ann Fantom

    July 27, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    My biggest question is how much the data plan costs

    Reply
  31. michael

    July 27, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    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.

    Reply
  32. BM

    July 27, 2012 at 6:58 pm

    I always question if the person I am giving it to will find the device useful enough.

    Reply
  33. michael

    July 27, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    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.

    Reply
  34. Jeff L

    July 27, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    How long before it becomes obsolete?

    Reply
  35. Tabathia B

    July 27, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Wireless set up info such as wifi signals, security, any additional hardware required, what to do when it locks up

    Reply
  36. Thomas Murphy

    July 27, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    I like to know how fast and efficient the wireless product is

    Reply
  37. Erica Best

    July 27, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    can the person take it back if they dont liked it.

    Reply
  38. April Brenay

    July 27, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    Is this really what they want? or are they already planning to get this?

    Reply
  39. Margaret Smith

    July 27, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    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.

    Reply
  40. Adrienne gordon

    July 27, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    is there a data plan with it

    Reply
  41. Amanda Sakovitz

    July 27, 2012 at 4:59 pm

    Will I be able to access the internet from anywhere even if I’m out of state?

    Reply
  42. Andrea

    July 27, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    Hooray for winners !!

    Reply
  43. Kathleen

    July 27, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    What’s the warranty on the product and how user friendly is it

    kport207 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  44. danielle hall

    July 27, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    how easy is it to get going

    Reply
  45. sherri

    July 27, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    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…

    Reply
  46. Marilyn Wons

    July 27, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    My fear is that it will be easy enough to use.

    Reply
  47. Shannon Baas

    July 27, 2012 at 12:57 pm

    HOw easy is it to set up.

    Reply
  48. blessedta

    July 27, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    how fast is it?

    Reply
  49. melissa n

    July 27, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    my biggest question is if it will be fast enough

    Reply
  50. Chantelle Bittings

    July 26, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    Excellent info!! Great insight on kids with phones.

    Reply
  51. Jill

    July 26, 2012 at 10:21 am

    Well finances are big for me, so I have to be looking for the best deal. After that would be what kind of warranty.

    Reply
  52. Kyra

    July 26, 2012 at 7:22 am

    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.

    Reply
  53. Kelster

    July 26, 2012 at 6:55 am

    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).

    Reply
  54. Hysterical Mom

    July 25, 2012 at 9:38 pm

    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.

    Reply
  55. Tabitha Pyle

    July 25, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    i always wonder if it will be a nightmare to set up

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar




Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

View My Favorite Amazon Finds! AeroGardenStore.com

Categories

Archives

I’m an Amazon Influencer

Kris McDonald is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Collaborate with Kris McDonald on influencer marketing
dealspotr.com

Follow Me

Copyright © 2022 Kris McDonald | Little Tech Girl on the Foodie Pro Theme