Our friends at PBS KIDS recently announced a new study that found nearly a quarter of parents were planning to recycle their old cell phones, computers or pads by passing them along to their kids this holiday season. While it makes perfect financial sense, and it keeps technology out of the landfills, if you're planning to share your device with younger family members, here are a few tips to help keep your kids safe:
Sweep it: All devices should be cleaned of any content including personal files, credit card information, etc. before handing down to kids. Parents should swipe all their browser “cookies” and perform an application sweep.
Secure it: There are parental controls on most tech devices that can turn certain features on and off. Settings on the iPhone, for example, that can be restricted include explicit song titles, Internet browser, YouTube, iTunes and the camera.
Set limits: As with any new toy, parents should set expectations and limitations with their kids when the device is handed down, and should encourage other forms of learning and play beyond the screen.
Find the right apps for your child: A good app is the perfect combination of education andentertainment, and should be appropriate for your child’s age and stage of development.
Avoid apps that try to sell: Apps labeled “lite” or “free” often attempt to make money by trying to sell virtual items while a child is playing a game, or link to another related app that requires payment to download. Select apps from trusted, reliable sources, and make sure that they are not trying to market to your child.
