First Phone: A Child's Guide to Digital Responsibility, Safety, and Etiquette - Softcover

Pearlman, Catherine

 
9780593538333: First Phone: A Child's Guide to Digital Responsibility, Safety, and Etiquette
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0593538331 ISBN 13: 9780593538333
Verlag: Penguin Publishing Group, 2022

Inhaltsangabe

A fun and informative illustrated kids’ guide to safely and productively navigating the digital landscape.

Cellphones have become a fact of life, with children as young as eight (yes, eight!) getting their very own “devices.” Such boundless access means our kids are in nearly constant contact with technology that was designed specifically for adults. And they’re doing so without any type of road map. Enter First Phone: the essential book that apprehensive parents can confidently hand to their kids to read as they begin their journey into the digital world.
 
In First Phone, Catherine Pearlman—licensed clinical social worker and parenting expert—speaks directly to eight- to twelve-year-old children about digital safety in a manner that is playful, engaging, and age-appropriate. With insights and strategies supported by the latest research, First Phone offers:
 
  •  guidance on privacy, boundaries, social media, and even sexting (yes, young children need to learn about sexting before it happens!) 
  •  best digital hygiene and self-care practices, including when to put the darn phone down, when to turn off notifications, and where to charge
  •  how to be a kind and compassionate upstander in a digital world
 
An essential companion when your child receives their first phone, this book provides kids the tools and information they need while giving their parents peace of mind.

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Dr. Catherine Pearlman, the founder of The Family Coach®, is a licensed clinical social worker who has been working with children and families for more than twenty-five years. She holds a Ph.D. in social welfare from Yeshiva University and a master’s of social work from New York University. Dr. Pearlman is also currently an associate professor of social work at University of Massachusetts Global. She is also the author of Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction (TarcherPerigee, 2017).

Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

CHAPTER 1

Who Needs Rules?

Back when my son, Emmett, was in third grade, he had a wonderful teacher named Mrs. Boys. If a student raised their hand to ask to go to the bathroom or to sharpen a pencil or to grab a book off the shelf, Mrs. Boys would respond with three magical words: Solve your problem.

Yes-solve your problem.

You see, Mrs. Boys knew two important secrets:

1.            Kids are capable of making smart choices.

2.            Kids learn more skills when they solve their own problems.

As an expert in child development, I couldn't agree more with Mrs. Boys. When children are able to make their own decisions based upon accurate information, they tend to go with better choices in the future.

So, what does solve your problem have to do with cell phones? Well, just about everything. Your parents will help monitor your actions on your smartphone. That is good because it takes time to learn how to be safe and kind in a digital world. Even adults have to keep learning about changes on the internet, with social media and privacy settings. However, there is no way your parents can prevent you from making some big mistakes. They will not be with you on the bus to school. They will not be with you when you are at your best friend's house. Even with controls set up for your safety, there will be millions of decisions you will have to make on your own.

In other words, you (and only you) will have to make good choices. I am certain you can make them, because you are smart and capable when given the facts. This book will help by teaching you what you need to know.

Caring for Your New Phone

Smartphones can be an expensive investment. What that means is, they cost a lot of money, so you should try to take good care of your phone. There are a few ways to make sure your phone stays safe.

Max: "Have one place you put your phone when it is in your backpack. That way you always know where it is."

Jack: "Buy a good case. I picked out a really cool case-it was neon green with a sick alligator. But my parents made me get a boring one because they said it was 'drop proof with screen protection.' 'Whatever,' I said. Well, I drop my phone a lot. Don't tell my parents, but they were right. I need the toughest case."

Benni: "Oh, and check all of your pockets before jumping in a pool. My cousin made this mistake. Twice."

Try to have a routine for where your phone goes at different parts of your day. Think about where to put it after school and where to charge it. If you always put it in the same place, it is more difficult to lose.

Phone Etiquette

Before we get into some of the more difficult topics, let's start with something fun-phone etiquette. Now, I know "etiquette" sounds sorta fancy and snobby, not unlike the French word for snails (that'd be escargot-and they're slimy and icky). But "etiquette" is just another way of saying, "Hey, use your manners." And knowing when to answer your phone or respond to a text (and when to ignore it for a little while) usually depends on etiquette.

Sofia: "Here's an important tip: When your parents call, always answer the phone (unless you are in the bathroom. In that case, call them right back when you finish)."

It is very normal to want to look at your phone when it buzzes. But it isn't always a good idea to do so. Let's say Grandma is visiting from Florida and you and your family are at dinner. Maybe you're all eating hamburgers, and Grandma is telling a story about when her best friend in high school quit the knitting club. Then-your phone pings! I know it can be tempting, but taking time to look at your device might make Grandma feel like you don't even care that she is there. (Grandparents aren't really down with the "I'd love to listen to you, but Samantha just DMed me a photo of her new kitten and it's so cute" excuse.) It often hurts people's feelings when it seems like your phone gets all your focus. And nothing makes parents madder than when they are asking for your attention but you keep looking at your phone. Trust me on this. I'm a parent.

Also, there are some places it's just unthoughtful to take a call. Imagine you're in the movie theater, and Thor is about to soar into the air, break out his hammer, and go after Loki, and you've been waiting for this moment for the last hour, and suddenly-BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP!-the phone belonging to the person behind you starts to ring. And then the woman is talking! Loudly! About her hair appointment with someone named Meredith! It's the absolute worst. You do not want to be that lady.

So it's important to realize there is a time and place to answer a call and a time and place to put the phone down or, even better, turn it off. Be aware of your surroundings. Are you inside a restaurant with family members, or are you by yourself in your room? Before answering, take one second and ask yourself, "Is this a good time to use my phone?"

Side Tip

Every phone has a way to turn off the ringer
(sound) and a way to stop notifications from popping up. Take a minute to learn about these functions so you can show good phone etiquette when it is needed.

Benni: "This is my biggest problem. If I hear the little 'ding,' I have to pick up my phone and respond to it right away. I've learned to just put my phone away during meals and family time so I don't feel the urge to respond."

Max: "Last year I had a bowling birthday party. I was so excited. All of my friends were on their phones the whole time. It was such a bummer."

As a general rule, try to connect to the people in your life when they are with you. As fun as it is to text with a group of friends or scroll through amazing dunk videos on TikTok, when you are busy doing that, you may miss what is happening in real life. So work toward focusing on the people around you rather than on your phone. Yes, I know it can be hard. Sometimes when we are bored or in awkward situations it's easier to just look at our phone. But try to live more in the moment. I promise things get a lot less uncomfortable with practice. Also, it's not very nice to be with one friend but texting another friend. It can be hurtful.

Here's a chart to help you figure out when to answer your phone and when to leave it alone. Fill this out and talk about it with your grown-up. The answer key is at the end of the chapter.

               Answer It            Leave It

1. Mom or Dad calls                      

2. The phone rings during dinner                             

3. When you are rushing to get ready for school               

4. A friend texts past your bedtime                         

5. Your sister texts HELP              

6. An adult who watches you (like a babysitter or grandparent) calls                       

7. An unknown number...

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Verlag
Penguin Publishing Group
Erscheinungsdatum
2022
Sprache
Englisch
ISBN 10 
0593538331
ISBN 13 
9780593538333
Einband
Taschenbuch
Anzahl der Seiten
144
Kontakt zum Hersteller
Nicht verfügbar
Verantwortliche Person
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