*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint Latino. I was compensated to participate in a Sprint Latino research study around Latina Moms and mobile security for their children. All opinions are 100% mine.
In today’s modern technological times, it’s hard to keep children from gravitating towards all of the new gadgets that are out there for them to explore. This is especially true when it comes to smartphone technology and kids wanting to have their own smartphones like their peers. In our home, we are currently negotiating the guidelines for allowing our ten year old son to have his first cellular phone. This conversation has come about partly due to necessity and partly due to his wanting to have a phone like some of his friends.
According to a Social Lens Research Study, within the Latino community, the average age that children are given access to mobile phones is 12. Latina moms cite their top two reasons for getting mobile phones for their children as being: 1) To track their children’s whereabouts and, 2) To have the ability to communicate with them at all times. I can totally relate to this because those are definitely my top reasons for even considering getting a mobile phone for my son. Unfortunately, however, it also raises concerns about whether my son is capable of using a mobile phone safely and wisely.
Although I want to be able to call my son when he is at basketball and baseball practice to coordinate what time we should pick him up, I’m also worried about opening up a virtual Pandora’s Box by giving him a mobile device. It is important that I monitor his mobile phone usage so that he doesn’t use it when he is not supposed to, like during school hours. Additionally, I want to be able to control the content that he is exposed to on his smartphone to ensure that he is not exposed to any inappropriate information or images. I will definitely be looking carefully into enhanced security features…
Check out this infographic with highlights from the study:
Let’s discuss: How do you think technology is affecting the average Latino Family?
Disclosure: This sponsored post was written as part of a blogging program through Sprint Latino. Any statements made in this post are the author’s honest opinions. I only recommend products or services I use personally and I believe will be “family friendly.” I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
© 2013, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
Although not Latino, I do have concerns about cell phone usage and my daughter. She wants one badly but is only 10. I just don’t think she needs one yet. I was hoping to wait until she was 12, but all of her friends are getting one. What do you think?
Great info-graphic with some really helpful ideas. Our pre-teen has just gotten his first cell phone and it has been challenging, but he’s very receptive to us monitoring, so works out pretty well. I was anti getting one for him at first, but with sports and practices and such, it became a necessity.
I do have concerns about my kids and cell phone usage, but with one of them driving and another ready to get a learners, it’s important to have them.
I think for better because it gives them confidence that they can communicate with you when they need to. On the other hand, technology should be used in moderation.
Well my children aren’t quite old enough yet for a cell phone, but once they get to the point where they will be out by themselves, I would want to be able to get in touch with them at all times.