First cell phone for children Summer, sun, smartphone?

When will I get my first cell phone? This question causes discussion in families. Is summer camp a good time? These considerations and tips will help you decide.

They're finally here - the long-awaited summer vacation.

The school books stowed away in the cupboard, bath towel and sleeping bag grabbed - and many children are ready for their first summer camp.

What arouses excitement and anticipation in many children is a nerve-wracking time for some parents. Some wonder whether it's time for their child to have their own smartphone.

If you want to stay in touch with your little one during summer camp but are still undecided about buying their own cell phone, there is an interim solution.

Shared family cell phones, a children's smartwatch or the use of an emergency cell phone are a good way to gain initial experience and be reachable in important cases.

A little helper with opportunities and risks

Smartphones and surfing the internet offer opportunities, but also harbor risks. Children who are not sufficiently informed about the dangers of the digital world can find it difficult to recognize abuses such as cyberbullying, fraud or addiction.

However, cell phones and smartwatches also offer access to apps and functions that teach children knowledge in a fun way and strengthen their media skills. Safety and accessibility are further advantages of having your own smartphone.

Parental supervision is important to protect children from online dangers and prevent incorrect use. After all, parents are usually best placed to assess whether their child is ready for their first cell phone.

Guidance from parents

It is not always easy to assess when a child is ready to take responsibility for their own cell phone. Checklists can be an important aid.

To get started, it helps to use a family tablet or discover the parents' smartphone together.

A comprehensive introduction by the parents is important in order to learn how to use the first smartphone correctly. Swisscom offers a guide as well as tips and offers for children's media use.

Set up parental controls

Anyone who decides to buy a cell phone before the upcoming summer camp faces a number of challenges. Parents are less able to keep track of their child's activities when they are away and can easily lose track. That's why a good dose of trust and the right preparation are required.

Most operating systems offer functions for setting up the long-awaited first smartphone in a child-friendly way. Parents can use settings to manage their child's digital activities, for example with Family Sharing (IOS) or Family Link (Android).

Both offer the option of making settings for sharing and approving app purchases, viewing the location or restricting content and screen time. This allows children to be protected from online dangers even when their parents are away.

If you want to be on the safe side, you can also install the My Security family manager. This can be used to set additional parental controls such as bedtime, content filters, virus protection and password managers.

The first cell phone

Summer camp is approaching, the decision to buy a cell phone has been made and the research on parental controls is almost complete. But which cell phone is actually the best choice?

It doesn't have to be the most expensive model. Second-hand devices that still work well are sufficient, environmentally friendly and even cheaper.

A children's smartwatch is suitable for younger children, allowing them to learn the first steps of media use. It is like a small wristwatch that is connected to a smartphone. Children can use it to send and receive messages, play games and share their location.

Parents and children can decide together on the features of the first cell phone. Swisscom offers cell phones for children in different age groups. There are models that are primarily suitable for making calls, but also models for children who want to make and watch their own videos or already use apps.

Well prepared for summer camp

Summer camp is the first time many children have been away from their parents. This is an important and exciting experience and boosts self-confidence.

However, cell phones exert an almost magical attraction on some children. This can distract them from activities. It is therefore important to work with the camp management to ensure that there are rules and sufficient screen-free time.

If homesickness or emergency situations arise, a cell phone can be very useful.