How to raise an appy child
The first mobile phones were so big that they needed to be carried around in a crate. They gradually got smaller over the years but of course they were rather primitive because all you could do with them was to make phone calls and send texts. But then came the Smartphone. A significant advance in the technology because from that point on, the mobile phone in your pocket developed the ability to advise you on how to bring up your children.
The difference between the mobile phone as we used to know it and the modern Smartphone that we know today, is that the Smartphone is able to use Wi-Fi, and 3/4G technologies to access and browse the internet. Over the years, developers have been developing small applications to download to your Smartphone that basically drill down through the clutter of the internet to bring you specific information or perform specific functions on your behalf.
In this digital age of information, the “app” as it has become known has proved to be a useful tool for young parents looking for advice and assistance during the early stages of bringing up a family. Here we take a look at some of the more useful apps that can make the life of a young parent easier and positively impact on their children.
Baby Monitor and Alarm App
For new parents experiencing reluctance to leave baby unattended for a time, this app can turn the Smartphone into an extremely versatile device. One of the most useful functions is that the app can monitor the room that the baby is in and call the parent on a preselected number when there is any noise in that room. The app can also play a soothing recording of mum’s voice or even a designated tune when the baby wakes up.
Nighty Night! HD
This is a Smartphone app designed to engage and soothe children at bedtime. Designed by an Oscar nominated animator, the app centres around turning off the lights for farmyard animals so that they can go to sleep. The execution of the app makes it suitable for very young children but also adapts the story to keep them engaged as they grow older.
Toddler Lock
Having introduced your children to your Smartphone there may be times when you need to protect it from meddling fingers. Toddler lock allows you to introduce a key sequence that must be entered into the phone before the functions will work.
iReward Chart
This is a useful and comprehensive app for tracking and rewarding the behaviour of a child. Stars or other rewards such as pocket money or books can be entered into the app and parents notified when positive behaviour means the reward becomes due.
Footprints
As children grow older they may be spending more and more time away from the direct supervision of their parents. Parents concerned for the safety of their children can use footprints to ensure that they are aware of where their children are. The app can be loaded onto a Smartphone, password protected and set to update every few minutes. To prevent children from feeling that they are being constantly monitored, the app can also be set to only report on certain dates or times. This can be very useful on occasions like Halloween when children are more likely to come into contact with strangers when out trick or treating.
Mamabear
For parents of teenagers, Mamabear is said to be the complete app for worry-free parenting and allows parents to feel more secure about giving their teenagers the freedom they desire. The app can be customised to provide information on:-
Where children are on a map
If they leave school early
If they go somewhere off-limits
What they are saying online or any signs of cyber bullying.
Who they are meeting online
For more information on mobile safety and other related topics, please visit the Vodafone Parents’ Guide.
