Europe has a high smartphone penetration rate, with almost the entire population using one. It is true that not all age groups use the same applications, but they use them in their daily lives. The buyer profile may vary and buying a cell phone for grandparents is not the same as buying one for an adult.
A user profile that is growing more and more is that of adolescents or preteens, this is the time when the introduction of smartphone ownership is most common, beyond the occasional use that younger people may make of their parents’ cell phones.
The age at which it is advisable to buy a cell phone for a child can vary, although It is normal for him to be between 12 and 14 years old.. But whatever the age, certain factors must be taken into account when choosing a terminal, both in terms of hardware and software.
¿iPhone or Android?
It’s true that Europe is a country in which the penetration rate of iOS is much lower than that of other states such as Germany, Japan and, of course, the United States. But what is curious is that If we stick to the maximum age of 20, the vast majority of users will want an iPhone above an Android.
Obviously the budget of each family comes into play here, but beyond Teenagers are advised to use the same operating system as their parents, unless it is possible to know how to use both in the same way. This is important for establishing controls, knowing what the child is doing, etc.
iPhone14.
Unsplash
Of course, there are options in both systems for 400 dollars and others for 1,500 dollars, but it is also possible to opt for refurbished or used cell phones and not new models. However, It is more important for parents to know how to use their children’s cell phones than the other way around..
Parental control
The second point is linked to the first. When you give a teenager a cell phone for the first time It is very important that parents know what they are doing with it. It’s not so much about reading your messages but knowing who you are in contact with, which applications you follow, which influencers you identify with…
A group of teenagers checking social media on their cell phones.
To limit exposure to content that is not age-appropriate, it is important to establish some sort of control, using the tools that operating systems have. You can set a usage duration, limit the type of apps that can be used, etc. Android has a system called Family Link which allows all of this to be centralized from the parents’ mobile phone, even with a mode for teenagers.
Big battery and fast charging
Although it is not appropriate for teenagers to spend many hours using their cell phones, the reality is: good autonomy will be necessary, in particular so that they do not have the excuse of not having contacted because their cell phone is out of battery. Obviously, any mobile phone is susceptible to running out of battery, but with a higher amperage battery, it’s more complicated.
Fast loading on mobile
Samsung
Free Android
Something similar happens with fast charging. If the mobile phone has a more powerful system, it will be less likely that the phone will run out of power, if it is possible to fill the battery in a few minutes, without having to wait an hour and a half or more. the catch.
Coverage is mandatory
Although teenagers are not as carefree as babies or toddlers, They are much more likely than adults to drop their cell phones, simply because of usage time.. This is why it is strongly recommended to put not only a case, but also tempered glass.
The type of cover is already something very personal, but one that resists shocks and is not very slippery will be suitable. This may condition the purchase of certain models for which it is not particularly easy to find coverage. On the other hand, for others, like iPhone, Xiaomi or Samsung phones, there are thousands of different options.
Prices and WiFi
It should be borne in mind that having a mobile phone implies, at least normally, having to contract a data rate, prepaid or contracted. It’s a good idea to limit the size at first so that the use of the smartphone is not unlimited.
On the other hand, Controlling the connection to the home WiFi network can also be done via schedules, connection limitations to certain websites, etc. This all depends on the individual teenager, their cell phone use, and the parents’ desire to limit their cell phone use.
Social networks
Not everyone uses the same apps, but there are a particularly dangerous, but also potentially positive, type for adolescents: social networks. Most platforms do not allow the creation of profiles for those under 16, although some limit it to 13. Some have even begun to limit its use to adolescents.
Instagram suggests a break from using the app
Their usage, control profiles or know what content is seen in each This is perhaps one of the things that requires the most time for parents, but also one of the most important in the digital education of their children. This also applies to other devices, such as computers, but teens generally don’t use them as much as cell phones.
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