Many parents like to set a certain age at which their children can get a smartphone, but it might be wiser to look at the characteristics your child should exhibit before they are given a smartphone. A combination of each of these factors can help determine if your child is really ready for the responsibility a smartphone entails. No one is ever completely ready for anything, but seeing that your child is well-prepared is can be as simple as looking for these 5 signs.
1. Can Keep Up With Things
Most kids tend to lose things frequently when they are young, and they are often not very good at finding them again on their own. Essentially, they have a hard time multi-tasking. However, as they get older, kids begin to demonstrate an ability to keep up with simple things like homework or jewelry. Moreover, they can exhibit an ability to keep up with their own schedule or chores around the house. If they can handle these sort of smaller things well, then they might well be ready to keep up with a smartphone that costs hundreds of dollars.
2. Out Of The House Often
When your child has a very busy schedule, she might be in need of a smartphone. Not only does the smartphone allow her to keep track of her own calendar, but it allows her a way to contact you to pick her up from the events that she is attending. If your child is responsible enough to have a busy schedule, she's likely ready for a new smartphone to help her keep track of those events.
3. Doesn't Exhibit Subversive Behavior
Many kids in their teens can exhibit highly-subversive behavior towards their parents and towards others. The unfortunate reality in today's society is that a smartphone can be used for cyber-bullying, illegal activities, and a whole host of other activities that highlight and exacerbate poor judgment. Wireless plans can add a whole new level of trouble your child can get into, so it's important to establish that he is open and respectful to you as a parent before you grant him greater exposure to the world. If your child is still acting immaturely around certain people or about certain things, he may not be ready for a smartphone. It is sad to say, but imagine the damage that can be done with a smartphone if the user acts subversively on a daily basis.
4. Has Friends All Over The Place
In today's society, your child could easily have friends living all over the world. In order for her to keep in contact with people that are dear to her, it might be nice for her to have a smartphone. Now, this is not a sign of readiness as much as it is a sign that your child is a citizen of the world. Allowing your child to keep in contact with people important to her should be important to you as well. If she is building significant relationships with people around the world, it demonstrates a level of responsibility that indicates she can handle a smartphone too.
5. Asked Nicely
When your child is asking nicely for a smartphone rather than pestering you endlessly about it, it is easy to see that he doesn't just "want" it for no reason. If he knows he needs it specific purposes and can even rationally tell you what those specific purposes are, you have a good indication he's ready for the additional responsibility.
Looking through this list, it's easy to see when kids are ready to choose a smartphone such as one of the Bell window phones , but it always the parents' decision in these matters. Make sure that your child is well-prepared, and you will feel comfortable that the results of getting him or her a smartphone will be positive for you both.