MANILA, Philippines — Are your kids fascinated by smartphones, tablets, handheld gaming devices, laptops, smart watches and the like? Don’t be surprised. They’re born in this generation where technology plays vital roles in schools, businesses and even homes.
But while they’re drawn to smart devices mainly to play games, technology can also be used to enrich your kids’ learning and make family bonding more meaningful. Keep this in mind as you buy gadgets for your kids. Here are more smart tips:
Don’t let the sparkle blind you
Gadgets are attractive, shiny things in your children’s eyes. And when you see those sparkling eyes as a parent, you’d want nothing but to give them the gadget they want. But don’t get too excited when shopping technology for your kids because you should avoid buying on a whim.
A smart thing to do is to plan first, starting with the main purpose of the device. Is it purely for entertainment, especially when traveling out of town? Is it to teach them how to use technology responsibly? Is it for communication purposes only? Is it something that can help them in school?
You should also figure out how you can regulate their technology use. Will you need to set up a schedule? How about coming up with a few rules?
Review the content
Gadgets like smartphones and tablets usually come with pre-installed apps and content. So before purchasing one, be sure to check out what’s inside. Gadgets that are specially designed for kids have kid-friendly content like cartoons, children’s music, educational games and the like, but that doesn’t mean it is no longer necessary to look into their content.
Make sure you’re familiar with what your child’s going to consume through that smartphone, tablet or laptop by checking the device’s age appropriateness.
Know how to work the parental controls
The gadget you’ll be buying must have parental controls that can guard your children against malicious online content or prevent them from making accidental online purchases. Familiarize yourself with these settings first and make sure there are adequate child safety features before buying and handing a gadget to your child.
Think family
When purchasing a smart device for your kids, think as well of how it’s going to benefit the entire family. Remember that technology doesn’t have to steal your precious time with your kids. You can all enjoy technology and still enjoy meaningful time together. So, pick something that’s not only entertaining and interactive, but also educational and functional.
For example, PLDT Home Telpad just launched its newest offer—a cool, kid-friendly smart watch. The Smart Watch lets your kids take photos via its camera Bluetooth remote, play music to sing and dance to, and receive calls and messages from you, their parents. It also has features that monitor health and sleep. Its anti-lost feature makes the gadget easier to find, by making the gadget set off an alarm to locate it in case it’s misplaced.
The Smart Watch from PLDT Home Telpad is a handy gadget that not only serves as a great companion for your kids but also eases your worries as a parent when you’re not with them. It’s also very affordable at only P199 on top of your monthly Telpad plan. You can learn more about the offer here.
In the meantime, remember to be with your kids as you let them enjoy technology. Give them proper guidance on how they can be responsible digital users. And take note of the smart tips shared above as you choose a gadget for your child.