If you’re debating giving your child a phone but worried about their safety, one mum has come up with a genius contract to ensure her 12-year-old uses his phone in a safe manner.
Mel Watts, also known as The Modern Mumma, recently wrote up a contract for her son Ayden, and posted it to her blog.
She said: ‘Before we gave Ayden his mobile phone we wrote up an agreement that was to be agreed on by his three parents (modern day families these days lol) and then had to be signed by ALL parties.
‘This piece of paper pretty much gave up the ability to put down some ground rules and also allow us to monitor what he’s doing.
‘To be honest no I don’t think we should be giving our younger teenagers mobile phones with social media however I didn’t want to be that parent who wouldn’t allow it.
‘I grew up with parents who didn’t allow me to have a phone and I did feel isolated and left out, it wasn’t a nice feeling.
‘Having to trust that your child is doing the right thing is nerve wrecking. Its a big step and a scary one for some parents.’
The contract consists of 17 rules for Ayden to follow. If he breaks any of these rules, the phone will be taken away.
The rules include fixing or replacing the phone with his own money if it is lost or broken. Ayden also has to always answer his parents’ calls, and won’t be given any extra data if he goes over his limit.
Mel also said her son must not use his phone in his room, the phone must be given to a parent before bed and there is to be no messaging before 7:30am.
Alongside this, Ayden must also follow the school rules on mobile phones, must promise never to troll anyone and he must not upload anything to social media that he wouldn’t want his family to see.
Most importantly, Mel adds that if her son is being bullied online, he must show her. The contract also reminds Ayden that anything he posts on social media will be there forever.
On her blog, Mel also wrote some tips for parents wondering whether it’s time to give their child a phone.
She wrote: ‘Having to trust that your child is doing the right thing is nerve wrecking. It’s a big step and a scary one for some parents.
‘Some tips from me and what I’ve learnt in these last couple of months –
‘Trust your gut. If you feel something is off search the phone. Children (yes regardless that’s what they are) hide things from their parents usually because their scared they’d get in trouble or embarrassed.
‘DO NOT allow them to hide you from your social media. If you’re being hidden they’re doing something they shouldn’t – trust me.
‘Kids are smarter in this area, it sucks I know but they are. Be strong and stand your ground. If they’re being protective of the phone take it and search. Password changes – loss of phone.’
Though these rules may seem a bit much for some parents, this mum swears by them. Contracts like these could be an effective way of tackling damaging online habits for younger children.
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