How Kids Can Be Mobile Safe At School

Not so long ago, having a mobile phone at school was not allowed. Times have changed, and whilst mobile phones are still banned in a third of UK schools, they are welcome in some schools, with some guidelines and rules surrounding their usage, of course. Furthermore, the age of the typical child with a mobile phone in school is also decreasing. Let’s assume your child can take a mobile phone to school. After all, there are positives, but how can we as parents manage children’s online activity in this environment, including the type of content they can access and the time spent using the device? This brings me to the content of this post, in which I examine some of the ways for our children to stay safe while using mobile devices at school.

Before we look into how we might keep kids mobile safe at school, let’s first consider the pros and cons of mobile phone usage in schools…

How Kids Can Be Mobile Safe At School

Benefits of Mobile Phones in School

Some of the benefits of children taking a mobile phone to school include:

• Parental Contact/Emergencies – Having a mobile phone can significantly reduce the time it takes to reach a parent during an emergency.
• Scheduling/Calendar – Most phones have a calendar which provides an easy way for students to keep track of homework, assignments or upcoming tests.
• Research – The internet can be a valuable tool for research on different projects.
• Note-taking – The camera on a smartphone is a great way to capture notes from a board or projector in an instant. I’ve done this myself several times at office meetings.
• Keeping tabs –  Mobile tracking options can be used to help you know where your child is.
• Peace of mind – Knowing that you can reach your child at a moment’s notice will give any parent peace of mind.

Potential Problems of Mobile Phones in School

• It could get lost or stolen. It’s possible that your child’s mobile phone could be stolen or lost while at school.
• It could distract them – Smartphones can be pretty distracting for kids, as they can play games, surf the internet, and listen to music on these devices. All these features could interfere with your child’s concentration and ability to learn if they play with them in class.
• It is easier to cheat – Because the internet can be used to look up answers, making it tempting for students to use the device to cheat.
• Lack of control – Since content is out of sight and out of reach, we’re unaware of what our children might be accessing.

What can parents do?

So, given that we know there are positives of children taking a mobile phone to school, but that there are negatives, what can parents do to counter potential problems? Below I have listed several ways in which you can take control…

• School Policies: Most schools will have thorough policies in place regarding mobile phone use by pupils, and these guidelines are likely reviewed and revised regularly. You should stay informed about any such policies to understand how and when your child is likely to use their device at school. If you’re not happy with the policies in place, consider discussing the issue with other parents and don’t be afraid of voicing your concerns. In addition to digital safety, schools are increasingly adopting tools like school vape detectors to address rising concerns around student vaping in bathrooms and unsupervised areas, helping to create a healthier, safer environment.

• Block Unsuitable Content: You can ask your mobile provider to block access to porn and other sites considered unsuitable for under-18s. Note that this block is effective when using mobile data, which the provider controls. Accessibility of content via wifi connections is controlled by whoever provides the wifi access.

• Record the IMEI: Keep a record of the unique IMEI number for the phone. You can type *#06# into the phone’s dialer, and it will display this 15-digit code. You can use this to register at Immobilise.com, so if the phone is stolen and then found or recovered by the police, they can check it against the database and potentially return it. Always report a stolen phone to the network immediately.

• Use a Dumb Phone: You don’t need a cutting-edge smartphone to keep in touch. This point is particularly relevant for younger children. A ‘dumb phone’ that can make and receive calls and texts will provide many of the benefits outlined above, but without the worry of not knowing what content they might be using it to access.

• Tracking Apps: If the device is a smartphone, it will likely have GPS functionality that tracking apps could help you stay informed of the phone and (hopefully) your child’s location.

• Security Software: Finally, one of the best things you can do is to consider installing security software on the phone. Antivirus software may come to mind, but more comprehensive services are now available, offering complete visibility and control over device usage, along with protection and, consequently, peace of mind. Features may vary, but comprehensive, adaptive solutions are available, such as the new Kaspersky Security Cloud service.

This particular software can be installed across multiple devices, including Macs, PC’s and mobile devices, making it great for parents and families. It protects against Trojans, worms, phishing and lots more. Makes connecting to public WiFi safer by preventing your messages from falling into the wrong hands and keeping your passwords, personal contact details, and payment card information secure. It records your search history, showing how the device has been used, and automatically alerts you to suspicious malware, including whether it has been eliminated. Parents can create multiple accounts for their children and adjust the settings accordingly to control what they access on which device and how long they can spend on a device or online.  Parents can also create alerts and be informed about a child’s internet usage, e.g. when a child has opened a potentially inappropriate page. Parents can also identify the location of a device (if that feature is switched on). The app will also alert parents if a child attempts to disable it.

Even without dedicated software, most smartphones allow you to restrict access to settings, meaning you can create a restricted profile for your child and turn off certain features.

Final Thoughts

Having examined the options available to parents in keeping kids mobile safe at school, there are several steps that parents can take. The best option does seem to be installing security software, which obviously comes at a cost but offers peace of mind.

Do your kids take a mobile phone to school? If so, what controls, if any, do you have in place to manage their access? Can you recommend any additional measures parents can take when allowing children access to a mobile device at school?

*Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post

Thanks for stopping by,

Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋