Tips for getting your child’s first phone

It’s an important milestone in your child’s journey towards becoming more independent and responsible, so make sure that your child learns the rules of the road before they get started.

Father and son looking at a phone while lying down

Take a look at these tips to help you guide their experience with their new device.

Set up parental controls

Firstly, you might want to consider setting up parental controls on their new phone. Both Android and iOS give parents the ability to manage their child’s phone. You can use Family Link to monitor content, set screen time limits and even see their child’s location when they have their device with them (parents can manage their device through the Family Link app on Android and iOS).

For more tips on using Family Link, take a look at families.google.com/familylink.

Talk about online safety

It’s important to discuss online safety with your children before they get started with their new device. Finding balance and setting boundaries are key to helping your children understand your expectations and use technology in a way that’s right for them.

We work directly with experts and educators to help you set boundaries that are proven useful, so that your family can use technology in a way that’s right for them.

Take a look at our online safety programme, Be Internet legends, which teaches children how to become more confident, responsible explorers of the online world. They can even play their way to being Internet legends with Interland, an online adventure that gives them hands-on practice of key digital safety lessons.

For more information on how to use Be Internet legends, take a look at these tips at g.co/beinternetawesome.

Guide your child to great content

Once your child is up and running on their new phone, work together to choose content that helps them discover, create and grow.

Try YouTube Kids to help them discover family-friendly videos in a more contained environment. Spark their curiosity with Kids Space, a new Children's mode on selected Android tablets that features apps, books and videos designed to help them explore their interests. And try the Children tab on Google Play for Expert approved apps that are both entertaining and enriching. Learn more about finding great content for your child at families.google.

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