Deciding how much and what kind of technology access to give your child is a conundrum shared by many of the parents My Digital TAT2 works with. With a new generation of self-claimed “parental control forward” technology available, how does one decide which type of device is best for their child? While My Digital TAT2 does not endorse or rate products, in this article, we explore four popular options that have come to our attention through our work with families and young people: Gizmo Watch, Apple Watch, Gabb Phone, and iPhone.
Before we get into some of the key differences between these devices, it’s important to note that every child is different. As you’re assessing what kind of device to give to your child, or whether to give your child a device at all, consider your child’s age and their maturity level. Does your child show a sense of responsibility and maturity at home and school? Are they able to follow rules and boundaries regarding limits? Do you trust them to come to you if they have problems? Are they able to generally handle conflicts and accept consequences for their actions?
Also, consider your end goal. Is the device primarily for safety and communication with you? Is it for them to connect with their peers? Is this opportunity for them to learn responsible technology use in preparation for having a smartphone at a later date?
Each of these options have GPS tracking and location sharing available. But with iPhone and Apple Watch, it is much easier for children to turn their location off without parent permission. Additionally, Gabb Phones and Gizmo Watches make parental controls easy by allowing the parent to control everything from an app on their phone. While Apple products do have parental control capabilities, it can be difficult to set up. It is easiest to set up parental controls on Apple products when buying a new device for your child. It is still possible to set up with a used device, but it requires more steps.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed as a parent when it comes to deciding which tech will work best for your child. Regardless of the type of technology you choose for your child, it is important to come to a common understanding with them around its use and your expectations.
About My Digital TAT2
My Digital TAT2 offers parent, student, and youth provider education workshops to help young people navigate online complexities, make healthy choices and be in control of their technology use. If you are interested in learning more about these programs, reach out to our Partnership Program Manager, Sadie Frye, to set up an informational meeting.
About Sadie Frye
Before beginning her role at My Digital TAT2 as Partnership Program Manager, Sadie received a Masters in International Relations with a focus on Nonprofit Management from Florida International University. Sadie has been in the nonprofit industry for a little over six years, helping young people get their GED, fixing low income housing, teaching English as a second language, and more. One thing that has been consistent in each of her roles is how deeply impacted young people are by technology. Sadie is an avid outdoorsman, and practices limited screen time in her own life. She thoroughly enjoys providing students, families, and youth-serving professionals with education to make technology work for them.
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