Homeschooling over lockdown may seem like a distant memory now, but there were some fun times among the chaos of adjusting to that new way of life. And we gained some skills along the way too 🧒📚.
Even though ParentShield provides all the tools and advice you need to keep your child safe with their first mobile phone, and is a training and education tool in itself, eventually they will outgrow our service and be ready for a ‘normal’ ‘Adult’ mobile network and all that comes with it.
We thought it would be a good idea to put a simple lesson plan together for parents to use as they go, so they are prepared for the next steps as they arrive.
Objective: To guide parents in teaching their children responsible mobile phone use in a fun and engaging way, ensuring they develop healthy digital habits.
Duration: This lesson plan is designed to be implemented over a period of two weeks, with activities spread out to reinforce concepts gradually.
Week 1: Building a Foundation
Activity 1: Set Clear Expectations
Materials: Paper, pens, a whiteboard, or a digital device for brainstorming
- Sit down with your child and discuss the importance of responsible mobile phone use.
- Brainstorm a list of rules and expectations together, such as time limits, appropriate content and language, frequency and device-free zones.
- Write down the agreed-upon rules and display them prominently in a shared space.
Activity 2: Create a Digital Diary
Materials: A notebook or a digital document for journaling
- Explain the concept of a digital diary to your child, emphasising the importance of reflection.
- Encourage them to document their mobile phone usage, including the time spent on different activities and how they felt afterward.
- Review the diary together at the end of the week to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
Week 2: Practicing Responsible Habits
Activity 3: Tech-Free Quality Time
Materials: A basket or designated area for collecting phones during family time
- Dedicate specific times each day when the whole family engages in tech-free activities, such as board games, outdoor adventures, or cooking together.
- Collect and store all mobile phones in a designated area during these family times to ensure everyone is fully present.
- Use this opportunity to bond, communicate, and reinforce the value of personal connections beyond screens.
Activity 4: Research Responsibly
Materials: Access to the internet, notebooks, and pens
- Discuss the importance of verifying information found online and the potential consequences of sharing misleading content.
- Encourage your child to choose a topic of interest and research it online.
- Teach them to critically evaluate sources, fact-check information, and take notes to organise their findings.
Activity 5: Digital Detox Day
Materials: A jar, slips of paper, and a timer
- Set a day dedicated to a digital detox for the entire family.
- Together, write down various fun activities on slips of paper and place them in a jar.
- Each family member takes turns picking an activity and enjoying it without the use of mobile phones.
Wrap-Up: Reinforcing Responsible Mobile Phone Use
Activity 6: Mobile Phone Contract
Materials: A printed mobile phone contract template or a digital document
- Collaborate with your child to create a mobile phone contract that reinforces responsible use.
- Include agreed-upon rules, consequences for breaking the rules, and a space for both of you to sign.
- Display the signed contract in a visible location to serve as a reminder.
We have pre-prepared mobile contracts for kids templates in .pdf and word formats should you need it.
Activity 7: Celebrate Achievements
Materials: Stickers, certificates, or a small reward system
- Regularly acknowledge your child’s efforts in practicing responsible mobile phone use.
- Create a reward system, such as stickers for each successful week or certificates for reaching milestones.
- Celebrate achievements together and discuss the positive impact of responsible mobile phone habits.
Teaching responsible mobile phone use is an ongoing process. Continuously engage in open conversations, lead by example, and adapt the activities to suit your child’s age and interests. By instilling healthy habits early on, you are preparing your child to navigate the digital world responsibly and confidently as they progress.
