Blog

Be Secure Online Blog

Rules for Kids aged 5-8 on Smartphones, Devices

Updated Rules for 5-8-year-old kids, their first phone!

internet safety, parental control for kids aged 5-8 year of age

More and more kids using phones, devices since COVID19, we've some great advice for parents managing kids aged 5-8 

Take Control

One of the most frequently asked questions is 'When should I give my kids their first phone'. Everyone has a different point of view, some parents want to wait until secondary school, others are happy to give a six-year-old his/her first phone. If you can't wait any longer, here are some suggestions for what to do when you give your kids their first phone/device. 

Rules and Guidelines

1. Set down rules and expectations
2. Agree 'Time Limits', easy when they're young
3. Block off what you do not want them to use
4. Tell them what is not happening. No social media, unsuitable games
5. Older brothers and sisters are not to interfere (easier said than done)
6. Use Parental control to help you, paid parental is best.
7. Use these rules to form future habits
8. Remember it's Rules, not guidelines. Enforce
9. Under 8s should be happy with 90 minutes a day. Read more here.
10. Yes, it is a complete pain

More Tips

  • Give your kids the same phone as you, makes sense.
  • Place all games in one Folder. Switch off WiFi to stop advertisers.
  • No Online games, 
  • No gaming on Public Servers.
  • PEGI.info :> Check for the suitability of games. 

Five things a child must never share online 

Expensive but sensible

  • Get your kids the same phone as you
  • An iPhone has the same interface across all Phones for example
  • It will be cheaper and easier in the long run. 
  • Perfectly normal for Dad to have the worst phone in the house. 

Book a Parents talk - Parents talk page

apple screentime for parental control, kids online safety

Time limits by App, social media, entertainment, personalised and controlled by Mum and Dad!..

UK Government Research 5-7 years of age

Not updated in three years by UK Govt. You can add 50% at least since 2021

  • 63% games online up to 7.5 hours weekly
  • 42% own a tablet
  • 70% watch YouTube for funnies, games, cartoons 
  • 82% online 9 hours a week 

Games & PEGI.INFO

One great thing about gaming is there is a single source website where parents can check the suitability of all games. Is called PEGI.INFO.  It helps parents to make the right decisions when buying video games

PEGI provides age classifications for video games in 38 European countries. The age rating confirms that the game is appropriate for players of a certain age. PEGI considers the age suitability of a game, not the level of difficulty.

Check PEGI before permitting your kid to download or buy a game. Here is how PEGI rates a game

Is YouTube Still Safe for Kids?

Sadly this once great portal has lost its way. They've burrowed their way into the money hole following Google, the big boss and owner. There are too many money bots tracking kids, too many 'Fake News' ultra profane Influencers, too much advertising especially since the start of COVID19. 

Two years we were saying with reservations that YouTube was still safe but no more in August 2021, don't think it is an appropriate place for kids to wander alone. Like TikTok, it needs heavy supervision. Do not let kids watch alone.

If they are watching here's a quick checklist

  • Keep an eye on what your kids are watching,
  • Where they are watching, preferably in your eye line
  • Check who they like, Check out their preferred personalities, Influencers. 
  • Remember, Influencers know Mum only tends to watch for the first 90 seconds
  • Switch on Restricted mode, use kids version of YouTube 

And what about Google?

  • Nope, Simple. Don't let your child near Google
  • DuckDuckGo.com - A search engine that doesn't track you
  • We will do a whole article another day

The trouble with Free Family Protection 

Apple Screentime for iOS, OSX is limited but is a start. Google Family Link is buggy and gets poor reviews. Other free apps on Play Store don’t score well either. Check pricing for 

Now for some good things!

What’s in it for you. The Benefits
 
Kids who behave better
Kids that exercise more, sleep, eat better.
Kids that do as asked
Kids who study better, doing better in school
Kids who don’t get bullied online
Kids with longer attention spans
Healthier, fitter, stronger kids.
They can still play Fortnite, we are not stopping them, just not all-day

From our ebook - How to protect your kids online

Don't feel guilty about your kid's screentime if your kid is learning, why not download some educational games-based apps? Here are some suggestions for spellingstimes tables. Most have multiplayer functions, friends, siblings can compete against each other. 

Borrow a library book

Having a phone on hand means your child need never be without reading material. Avoid eyestrain,  try limiting the time they spend reading on their phone.

Libraries hire out children’s e-books that can be accessed on your phone.  We like the look of the app Overdrive featuring a collection of dozens of kids’ books, comics and magazines, from Biff, Chip and Kipper to The Beano. 

We have linked the kids' version of it, which includes borrowing copies of Harry Potter, comics, all sorts of fun books. Link here :> https://livebrary.overdrive.com/library/kids

Libraries everywhere are lifting their game for kids with smartphones. some have a drop in and scan service, or simply register. 

Junior Photographer.

Build their visual creativity with the cameras on their phone. A picture is worth a thousand words 1. Filters 2. Composition 3. Colourisation 4. Editing 5. Effects

Keep Fit

Download any one of 100s of fitness apps. Bingo fitter kids.

Help out around the House

Life is full of learning opportunities for kids, and a smartphone to the mix could make your child a more willing helper.

Lookup a recipe on the phone, and follow the instructions to bake a cake, take charge of the weekly shopping list using an online supermarket, plan a route for a day trip, check the weather forecast before a family outing: a simple way to use a phone practically

Like to ask us:- email us a question  

 

Articles of Interest
 

Internet Safety Talks for Kids Aged 6-9

Don't spend a penny on your Kids Online Safety

Internet Safety Tips for Kids - Keeping Kids Safe Online 10k + reads

Five things a child must never share online


Handy Connections
 

Setting up the right Social Media Profile for Kids

Low-Cost Norton 360 Premium 

Gamers - You need Nord VPN

Comments are closed for this post, but if you have spotted an error or have additional info that you think should be in this post, feel free to contact us.

Subscription

Get the latest updates in your email box automatically.

Search

Archive