Surfing the Web, on your phone

Accessing the Internet has never been easier. Most new generation ‘smart phones’ function as mini-computers, allowing you to access the Internet anytime, anywhere. This means that kids can now access their social networking profiles like Facebook, send e-mails, upload pictures to YouTube and surf the Web from their phones. While it is still expensive, sometimes slower than traditional Internet access, and sometimes hard to surf the Web on small screen, every year the service is faster and cheaper.

Apps

Apps (short for applications) are wildly popular among smart phone users. Apple introduced its popular App store in 2008 with both free and fee applications - offering a new way to deliver apps directly to the iPhone or iPod touch. The store offers more than 30,000 apps, ranging from tools to help you pick out a great spot for dinner to an application that helps students keep track of homework assignments and projects. Over 6,000 games are available for download for iPhones and iPod Touch Games, presenting a challenge for parents who want to monitor their kids’ game playing. The content in video game applications are not presently rated by iTunes, making it more important than ever to talk with your kids about what games they are downloading from the Internet.

What to watch out for:

• It can still be very expensive to access the Internet and buy apps – resulting in cell phone bills kids and parents weren’t planning on. If you do allow Internet access on phones, set limits to online time and online purchasing.
  
  
• The content in video game applications are not presently rated by iTunes. Make sure to check app content before allowing your kids to download them.
  
  
• Constant access to the Internet can be very distracting. Set limits and expectations about use and support your child’s school’s cell phone policy.
  
  
• Shared family time has fallen nearly 30% since 2006 and a recent report indicates that there has been a 40% increase in family members feeling ignored because of other family members’ Internet use. Apps and smartphones can be fun, but be sure that real-life relationships and activities are a family priority.