The question I get asked most: Should I give my child a phone? As am a mom of two, I’ll be honest— I am not looking forward to that day or conversation with my kids. Luckily, if you don’t want to give your kid an adult smartphone but do want them to have a way to communicate as they become more independent, you have options.

Fact: We’re the first generation of parents raising kids with smartphones, and there’s no instruction book. Steve Jobs, who created the iPhone and iPad, wouldn’t let his kids use either of these devices until his death in 2012. That says a lot!

I’ve rounded up age-appropriate technology that's safe for kids and encompasses a range of devices, applications, and platforms designed with children's developmental stages, safety, and privacy in mind. Here are some examples across various categories:

SMARTPHONE:

Bark Phone: No matter your child’s age, the Bark Phone is one of the best options for families when it comes to online safety. It features an award-winning parental controls platform built into a Samsung A13, a regular, discrete phone. It’s fully customizable, allowing parents to manage their child’s entire digital experience, from approving contact requests to managing screen time during the school day.

I like that parents don’t get unfettered access to everything on a child’s phone — they only receive alerts for potential issues so they can talk to their kids and make sure everything’s okay. This gives kids privacy and enables families to build trust. Bark’s approach to screen time centers on the idea that different times of day call for different screen time rules. For example, when your kids are in school, you can block access to everything but educational sites. And at bedtime, you can allow apps to help them wind down for the evening. And because all kids deserve to blow off a little steam, you can designate free time hours just for play. Families can set screen time limits and create schedules for when their children’s Android, iOS, and Chromebook devices can connect to the internet (through both cell service and Wi-Fi)

You can order the phone from Bark at $0 down, just paying for the monthly service plans and own it after 3 months. it also comes with free shipping. You can also buy it from Amazon for $199 and own it right away. Then, you’ll choose the monthly service plan that fits your family's needs.

Starter plan:

● $29 + tax per month (USD) for unlimited talk, text, and no internet, app store, or games Advanced plans: All plans below come with customizable app & contact management, location tracking, monitoring for text, social media, search, and more.

● $49 + tax per month (USD) for unlimited talk, text, and Wi-Fi only

● $59 + tax per month (USD) for unlimited talk, text, and 4GB data

● $69 + tax per month (USD) for unlimited talk, text, and 8GB data

● $89 + tax per month (USD) for unlimited talk, text, and data

Existing Bark Premium subscribers may add a Bark Phone to their plan at any time. The first month will be pro-rated dependent upon your existing billing da

SMARTWATCH:

GABB Watch 3: It’s like a safe phone that kids wear. The biggest breakthrough about this smartwatch is that it’s a standalone device, meaning it doesn't need to pair with another phone to function. With its own unlisted phone number, it offers direct communication for your child without the need for additional devices or complicated setups.

I like how this watch makes a child’s first device easy on parents and the child, so the first step into safe tech is as seamless as possible.

Concerned about distractions at school? The Gabb Smartphone comes equipped with a lock feature that allows you to set specific school hours.

Parents can use their parent app to remotely track location, set Safe Zones, enable focus and silent modes, add contacts, create text presets. The GPS tracker shows where your child is at all times and can send alerts when they’ve wandered a bit too far. The watch can only call and send voice texts to approved contacts, which means you don’t have to worry about receiving messages from strangers. Kids can also complete to-do lists that you create and earn coins to take care of digital pets on their watch. 

$149.99 with Service priced at $9.99 a month with a 2 year contract, $12.99 with a 1 year contract or $16.99 a month with no contract.

TABLET:

Amazon Fire 8 Kids:

• Best for ages: 3-7

Protected by a sturdy bumper case with a stand and a handle, this tablet is as kid-proof as a glass tablet can be. Built-in parental controls allow parents to filter content, set educational goals and screen time limits and decide which apps their children can use. The tablet comes loaded with age-appropriate games and educational apps. Social media and apps with in-app purchases aren’t accessible without parental permission. 

It comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee — if it breaks, simply return it for a free replacement.

APPLE iPad:

The 2021 Apple iPad is a solid all-around tablet that runs just about any app from Apple's App Store with ease, and we recommend parents looking for a cheap iPad to give a child purchase the 2021 model because it's the last iPad Apple sold at a starting price of $329, before jacking the price up over $100 with the $449 2022 model. 

Parental Controls:

It happens with every generation: Kids are exposed to new technology first, so they become more comfortable with it than their parents. To protect a child who may know more than you, you need to take advantage of the built-in tools, such as Parental Controls and Screen Time monitoring, that nearly all modern devices have. This is your first line of defense in keeping your child from venturing onto potentially dangerous sites and helping them learn to limit their daily screen time. 

The good news is you can also set parental controls on your own phones:

Apple:

Prevent web content

1. Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.

2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your Screen Time passcode.

3. Tap Content Restrictions, then tap Web Content.

4. Choose Unrestricted Access, Limit Adult Websites, or Allowed Websites.

Safety Is Key

8 tips for keeping your kids and their devices safe.

• Set parental controls on your Internet (and cable/streaming services) to prevent your children seeing things they shouldn’t.

• For smartphones and smartwatches, check parental controls are also set up on the mobile network.

• Use the device settings so only you can download age-appropriate apps and games.

• Disable location services so your child doesn’t unintentionally share their location with others.

• Set up devices with password control or disable in-app purchasing so big bills don’t run up accidentally.

• Learn about key issues and how to discuss them with your children so they know how to stay safe online. Keep communication open!

• If your child is using social networking apps, check their profile and privacy settings. Make sure they keep personal or private information to themselves.

Deciding whether to give your kids access to technology is a complex decision that requires careful consideration of various factors, including their age, maturity level, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of technology use. Here are some points to consider when answering this question:

1. Age Appropriateness: Consider your child's age and developmental stage. Younger children may benefit from limited exposure to technology for educational purposes, while older children may require more access for schoolwork and social interactions.

2. Purpose and Use: Evaluate the purpose of introducing technology to your child. Is it primarily for educational purposes, entertainment, or communication? Setting clear guidelines and boundaries for tech use can help ensure that it serves a positive purpose in your child's life.

3. Benefits of Technology: Technology can offer numerous benefits for children, including access to educational resources, development of digital literacy skills, and opportunities for creative expression and exploration. Introducing age-appropriate tech can enhance learning and foster curiosity and innovation.

4. Potential Risks and Challenges: It's essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with technology use, such as excessive screen time, exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and privacy concerns. Implementing parental controls, monitoring your child's online activities, and promoting digital literacy and safety can help mitigate these risks.

5. Balancing Screen Time: Striking a balance between screen time and other activities is crucial for your child's overall well-being. Encourage a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity, outdoor play, face-to-face interactions, and quality family time, while also incorporating technology in moderation.

6. Setting Ground Rules: Establish clear rules and expectations regarding tech use within your household. This may include designated tech-free zones, limits on screen time, guidelines for appropriate online behavior, and regular family discussions about responsible technology use.

7. Leading by Example: Model positive tech habits for your children by demonstrating responsible and mindful technology use yourself. Show them how to use technology as a tool for learning, creativity, and communication, rather than as a source of distraction or dependency.

Ultimately, the decision to give your kids access to technology should be based on thoughtful consideration of their individual needs, interests, and the overall family dynamics. By fostering a balanced and informed approach to technology use, you can empower your children to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.