Smartphones are incredibly advanced mobile phone types that feature many different useful functions. These devices also feature a lot of applications that allow users to accomplish different tasks like sending and receiving emails, engage in conference or video calls, and play various video or online games.
With highly technological benefits like these, it is not surprising that even kids are drawn to the use of smartphones. In the internet and social networks age, many parents are out of touch with the dangers faced by their children on smartphones.
Here are some of the dangers of smartphones for children that parents need to be aware of:
- Cyber-bullying
The rise of using social networks has lead to an increase in cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullying is the use of electronic information and media such as email, social networks, blogs, instant messaging, text messaging, mobile phones, and defamatory websites to harass an individual or group through personal attacks or other means.
- Access to Pornography
Children and young people may see illegal or inappropriate content, including pornography. Children may access inappropriate content accidentally, or intentionally through curiosity.
- Apps
In-app purchases made by children when playing games on
their parents' phones are often cited as a reason for money being spent
unwittingly. Parents had lost money or data from their own phone or tablet
because their children had been using it unmonitored.
Lastly, talking to your kids is the best way to keep them safe. They are excited
about the technology and what it allows them to do, and often, they
don't think about the dangers. You have to have open communication about
what could happen.
Reference:
Hanif, Z. (2014). Dangers of Smartphones for Children. Retrieved from: http://www.desiblitz.com/content/dangers-smartphones-children [Last accessed: 2nd July 2014]
Ong Wei Ru
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