What to Consider Before Giving Your Child a Smartphone

If you have kids, you might be a bit concerned about the amount of time the younger generation of today is spending online.

The moment your kid is asking you for the newest iPhone, there are ramifications to consider.

Being able to reach your child is a perfectly valid reason for getting your kid a phone. But, smartphones are much more than just phones.  

Think about it... a smartphone allows a kid, at just 7-10 years old, to be walking around with a wide open Internet connection and all the Internet provides.

According to guest, Rod da Silva, there are various options to ensure your kid isn't exposed to something he or she is young for.

Rod is a tech entrepreneur father of three and the founder and CEO of WebCurfew.com, a website that provides a free, easy to use (i.e.; no software to download) web service that allows parents to take back control over when their children can go online while at home.

Rod says the easiest way to avoid smartphone slip-ups is to get them a flip phone; mobile companies DO still sell those devices.

Another option is to get a smartphone with only talk and text capability; no data.

If you DO get the data option, make sure you investigate the parental controls.

Listen in as Rod shares more about the risks of giving your child a smartphone when they're not ready, as well as viable options for making sure they're safe.