Mobile Phones in Primary Education
There are many practical reasons why it may be good for primary school-aged children to have mobile phone, as they connected with parents during after-school activities and able to communicate in case of an emergency, or having a way to stay in touch with friends while playing outside.
Even though it seems earlier to consider purchasing a phone for a child at this age, it can provide peace of mind and a sense of safety for both the child and their parents.
Things to Take into Account
- Pay-as-you-go Sim Cards Offer Simplicity
- A Simple Phone Is Sufficient
- Clear Data from Your Old Phone
- Don’t Link Bank Details to App Store Accounts
- Set a Data Usage Limit
Pay-as-you-go Sim Cards Offer Simplicity
It is good for a primary school student to have a mobile phone with the package of Pay-as-you-go as they are unable to take best care of their mobile and accidentally or because of carelessness may broken or lost their phone. So, it is why they may need to change their phone frequently. It is best to take 30 days package for them.
These types of SIM cards offer basic phone services and can be easily cancelled at any time, providing flexibility and avoiding the financial burden of a longer contract. These SIM cards can be used in new or second-hand phones as long as they are unlocked and compatible with any network. This can be easy and cost effective way for parents.
A Simple Phone Is Sufficient
It is not compulsory to have a one high end device as there is no need of latest features or long term contract of additional ad-owns for school student. These options can be costly and may not be necessary for a child at this age.
Instead, choosing a cheaper mobile phone can save money and still provide the necessary functions such as making calls and sending texts to check what your child is doing and where he is. An old phone or a simple smartphone will sufficient for a child and ease of parents. Buying cheap phone may cause less financial burden if it is lost or got damaged.
Clear Data from Your Old Phone
To save money and reduce waste, it is possible to provide a child with a pre-owned mobile phone that you no longer use. However, it is important to ensure that all of your personal data and details are removed from the phone before handing it over.
This can be done by using the factory reset option in the phone’s settings menu and following the prompts to erase all data. This step is important to protect your privacy and prevent unauthorized access to your information in the event that the phone is lost or misplaced. Factory resetting the phone is a simple process that can be done quickly and easily.
Don’t Link Bank Details to App Store Accounts
As children may be prone to making unintended purchases or signing up for subscriptions while using smartphone apps, it is important to take precautions to protect against unexpected charges on your bank statement.
One way to do this is to avoid storing your card details on any accounts that your children have access to, including app store accounts. This can help prevent them from making unintended purchases or signing up for subscriptions without your knowledge.
While app stores offer a wide range of free and entertaining games for children, it is important to be aware of the potential for charges and to take steps to protect your financial information.
Set a Data Usage Limit
To help control costs and data usage, consider setting limits on a child’s phone. Use a pay-as-you-go or pay-per-use SIM card to avoid data usage for calls and texts. Most mobile networks allow for easy management and tracking of spending and data usage. Setting limits can help ensure that phone usage stays within budget and does not exceed allowances.
Apps for Educational Purposes
If you decide to purchase a smartphone for your child, there are a wide range of educational and entertaining apps available for download on both iOS and Android devices. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Epic
If you are looking for an educational app that is more low-key, Epic: Kids’ Books & Reading may be a good choice. This literacy app offers a large selection of books and videos to encourage reading in children. It features a variety of options that allow kids to progress at their own pace and build confidence in their reading skills.
The app also includes audiobooks for children to listen to and provides tracking features for parents to monitor their child’s progress. This app is ideal for rainy weekends or any time when your child is looking for a quiet, educational activity.
- Little Alchemy
If you’ve got a little puzzle master on your hands, then Little Alchemy is definitely one to look out for. They’ll start with 4 basic elements and mix them together to create new combinations. They’ll then use these concoctions to find dinosaurs, unicorns, and even spaceships! Basically, everything that kids love.
- Monkey Math
Monkey Math is full of colourful characters and exciting challenges that’ll take the kids through the basics, helping them build their skills with over 10,000 activities. What’s more, there’s a 7-day free trial that lets you try before you buy! Bargain.