The one thing you should do before giving your child their own phone

Your child has played with your smartphone for years and now they're asking for one of their own - so what do you do?

In a fast-paced digital world, it's only natural that kids will eventually want their own device. Peer pressure can play a huge role in your child wanting a phone, which is understandable - no-one wants to be the only kid on the playground who doesn't have the latest game or app. But what children need to understand is that having a phone is a big responsibility and that having one leaves them open to threats like cyberbullying and approaches from strangers online. Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, says that before you let your child have a device of his or her own, you have to start a conversation about staying safe on the internet with them. Opening up this discussion at an early age will mean they're open to talking to you about what they're up to online. "The crucial thing is to start introducing online safety as soon as they begin to go online – whether that’s on a laptop or tablet at home or their first mobile – so internet safety is just part and parcel of being online," he told The Sun. "We’d suggest making this conversation part of your everyday life, so it becomes natural for children to discuss any safety concerns with their parents.”