Parents today deal with many modern-day dilemmas that weren’t around a decade ago. One of the most pressing questions is whether or not your teen should have a smartphone or not? I am sure all parents are well-versed in the potential risks of cyberbullying, pornography, contact with strangers, sleep disruption, and unnecessary distractions. Are you perhaps overlooking some of the perks? One of the upsides to a smartphone is the ability to install emergency Apps.

THE BENEFITS IN A NUTSHELL:

1. CONNECTION

Smartphones provide an additional communication gateway between you and your teen. A smartphone takes the guesswork out of scheduling school pickups allows you to locate new destinations with pin drops. Communication through a smartphone gives you the chance to connect with your child even when they aren’t at home. Don’t miss out on any memory, use your smartphone to share pictures of every occasion.

2. MODERN RELATIONSHIPS

While communicating via WhatsApp, Instagram or SnapChat shouldn’t overshadow face-to-face communication or phone calls, it certainly supplements them. People of all ages use their smartphone Apps to maintain relationships. A smartphone provides your child with the same communication tool as most of their peers.

3. EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Smartphones give teens the benefit from exploring the things they love, whether it be cooking videos, guitar tutorials, applying makeup or fun dance moves. Many lessons, skills, and exercises are far more appealing and easy to absorb via a smartphone. Provide your teen with an endless source of personalised entertainment at their disposal when other activities aren’t possible.

4. GRASP THE CONCEPT

Gone are the days where “proficient in Word and Excel” are considered value-added skills to list on your CV. Introducing your child to technology early on will prepare them for the working world that lies ahead. The sooner your teen grasps the concept, the more they’ll adapt to the inevitable technological advancements and progressions (and the safer they’ll be, exploring it under your roof). Allowing your child to own a smartphone is a chance to teach them something about responsibility. Ensuring that the phone is always charged and taken care of is a step toward a more responsible child and adult in the future.

5. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Sadly, safety and security are concerns in South Africa. Allowing your child access to a smartphone will allow them to use an App like Secure 911 that lets you locate your child or chat with them at any time. It will also effectively place a panic button to emergency response services in the palm of their hand.

It is crucial to get smart about protecting your family. Emergency Apps like Secure 911 empower your teen. Secure 911 offers rapid response emergency assistance when it is needed most. Secure 911 includes benefits like home assistance and ambulance services. It allows you to track family members. Sign your child up for Panic SOS for a small subscription fee and turn their smartphone into a panic assist button with immediate access to our 24/7 control room.

Secure 911, smart, simple security right at your fingertips.Plus, you can chat and stay connected with your Secure 911 community (and your teen!) too.