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<\/p>\nSome of the top tips to help parents keep their child safe with their first mobile phone include setting it up as a \u201cchild's phone\u201d, activating parental control \u2013 and restricting WiFi.<\/p>\n
Mobile phone provider Vodafone UK has partnered with NSPCC to launch a new platform of resources, to help support parents who are thinking about buying their child's first mobile phone.<\/p>\n
Other top tips for mums and dads include turning on safety settings on apps their children use, reporting harmful content online \u2013 and simply talking to their children about online safety risks.<\/p>\n
It comes as Vodafone commissioned a poll of 1,000 parents and carers, with kids aged 8-17, which found that over half (56%) worry about their little ones having a mobile phone.<\/p>\n
And 36% say that choosing when to give their youngsters their first device is one of the hardest decisions they have to make as parents \u2013 equally as difficult as selecting which school they should go to.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, 56% struggle to decide when their child is old enough to go to the park or the shops by themselves \u2013 and 29% find it difficult to know who their offspring should be playing with.<\/p>\n
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However, 74% of parents and carers feel it is important for a child to have a phone by the time they start secondary school \u2013 with 42% believing this will help keep them safe when travelling to and from school.<\/p>\n
And 35% reckon it is important for their child to be able to keep in touch with friends outside of school.<\/p>\n
When it comes to the top concerns they have about giving their child a mobile phone, 53% worry about them seeing inappropriate content or being bullied online, while 28% of parents admit they do not feel equipped to keep their children safe online.<\/p>\n
The NSPCC reports that in 2022\/23, 10% of calls to its Helpline that focused on mobile phones or online platforms took place in August \u2013 highlighting a spike in online safety concerns ahead of the new school term.<\/p>\n
But while parents are worried about a first phone, children are excited \u2013 asking for a phone multiple times a week from the age of nine, on average.<\/p>\n
When the time arrived, parents said children were more excited about getting their first phone than their first pet or first bicycle.<\/p>\n
However, 21% of parents find it hard to know which mobile phone to pick for their children \u2013 and nearly one in 10 (9%) spend five months or more discussing when to buy their child their first phone, according to the OnePoll.com data.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, 48% said they would consider the sustainable option and choose a refurbished phone to give to their child.<\/p>\n
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As part of its partnership with the NSPCC, Vodafone is launching a growing online platform of resources to help keep children safe online, and provide top tips for buying a child their first phone. <\/p>\n
Nicki Lyons, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at the telecommunications company, said: \u201cWe know a child\u2019s first phone is a big moment for families \u2013 exciting for children, but bringing with it new concerns for parents and carers.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur research highlights that many mums, dads, and carers don\u2019t feel confident they know all they need to keep their children safe online, or where to start with choosing their first phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why, for well over a decade, we\u2019ve been committed to helping them navigate being online with their children.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now, working with the NSPCC, we\u2019re supporting parents with more practical resources and tips, to give them the tools and confidence they need when their children step into the online world with their first phone.\u201d<\/p>\n
The survey also revealed most parents don\u2019t feel confident setting up safety features on key applications that children use \u2013 such as BeReal (93%), Snapchat (85%), and TikTok (81%).<\/p>\n
Kate Edwards, associate head for child safety online, said: \u201cAt the NSPCC, we are doing everything within our power to ensure that children are safe when they enter the online world, including campaigning for a more robust online safety bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know a child\u2019s first steps, first words, and first day at school are all exciting moments for families \u2013 but getting a first phone is one which can be tempered by fear.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is why our partnership with Vodafone is so important. Together, we can support parents to understand how to keep children safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
TOP 10 SAFETY TIPS WHEN GETTING A CHILD THEIR FIRST MOBILE PHONE:<\/p>\n