You probably know the scene: You’re trying to talk about something with your child, but his attention is focused on the glowing screen of your smartphone. And you think to yourself: what can be so important and urgent! It’s starting to look like an addiction.
There is a possibility that you are not far from the truth. Research has shown that addiction to social networks appears because we care about the opinions of others – we want to know how many virtual “dramas” have caught up with our posts or what comments have been left.
The statistics are staggering: 62% of adults around the world say that their self-esteem has improved since their social media publications were positively received.
For young people, this is all the more true – their identity is in the process of being shaped and approved, and it is essential to build self-confidence.
Adolescents around the world are looking for peer understanding and the more recognition they receive from their online audience, the more they feel loved. And when likes suddenly stop crumbling in sufficient quantities, it seems to them that all of them have left.
Are you guessing whether your child has become a hostage of high technology?
The following symptoms will help you recognize your smartphone addiction:
- …the child experiences anxiety from not being able to access information quickly
- …is angry if you’re asking me to put my smartphone on the whole thing.
- …worried the phone will run out of juice, won’t talk to you until it’s sure it can be recharged.
- …expresses concern about restrictions on Internet traffic or always spends more than the established limit
- …can’t find his way without checking with the navigator.
- …is nervous if he can’t log on to the social network and check the notifications
- …constantly checking “likes” and new messages and worries if his posts are not reacted to for a long time.
What can you do to help?
Your own example.
When communicating with your child, pay all your attention to the child and put the phone aside. Studies have shown that addiction to smartphones is not just for teenagers. 69% of adults admit that they check their notifications every hour, and 56% of parents do not even take their hands off their smartphones even while driving!
Teenagers also notice this and believe that it is okay, since Mom and Dad do not see anything wrong with it. Limit your own craving for this habit and you will see how children will follow your example.
Speed of operation
Students need a device that won’t be constantly hanging out on simple operations, whether it’s flipping the ribbon in Instagram or surfing the Internet.
Choose “fresh” processors and look at the amount of RAM. In 2019, 2 gigabytes is considered a critical level for a modern smartphone.
Buying a device with at least 4 GB is a farsighted choice. Remember that the technology is updated with the speed of sound and what was at the peak of popularity yesterday, tomorrow is already dusting in the museum of rare technique.
Assembly quality and security
In most cases, children do not care about gadgets. Mobile phones often fall on the floor, plunge into the sink, and can fly down the second floor for the sake of experiment. Parents should already check the phone in the store: isn’t it looseness, reliable assembly?
Carefully look closely at products with especially strong cases. And to inexpensive models that are unlikely to pass a test drive for durability, buy a protective case.
Age…
The younger the student, the fewer functions he needs in the phone, but the stronger and lighter the body should be for use in the small palm of his hand. High school students are more careful about things, and they want to boast of buying among their peers, so they will appreciate a smartphone with a large screen size and good design.
Camera availability and quality
In primary school, a child can do without a camera at all, although it is still necessary to try to find a phone without this function. But from 10-12 years of age, the presence of a camera will be a painful issue.
By this time, schoolboys are already beginning to communicate on social networks. Parents need to accept the fact that children of the XXI century can’t do without selfies and numerous pictures. In addition, one photo can save 5-10 minutes of rewriting the schedule or homework.
Smartphones with cameras of 5-8 Mp are quite suitable for ordinary photos. Images from the 13 MP camera will not be ashamed to paste into an album or put in a family archive.
Battery capacity
Battery capacity is measured in milliampere-hours – the majority of sold gadgets have a value from 1500 to 5000 mAh. Schoolchildren will have enough 2400-3600 mAh. Of course, the battery will not be enough for a hiking trip to the mountains, but for a busy day of study these indicators are enough.
Price
Given the above, it is clear that there is no need to pamper schoolchildren with top models. The functionality and potential of the device should meet the basic needs of the child. There is no point in saving money. Otherwise, you will have to spend every year on a new phone. The best choice for parents is in the segment of 3 000-10 000 rubles.
