10 Things to Tell Your Kids Before Giving Them a Smartphone [Checklist]

Talk to your kids about what is appropriate and inappropriate content online, and why it's important to steer clear of the dark areas of the web.

Schedule device screen time so you are in control of when your children can access and use certain features on their mobile devices.

Keep devices age-appropriate and apply age-specific settings to block all but age-appropriate sites and apps on your child's devices.

Restrict app and in-app purchases so your next phone bill won't arrive jam-packed with surprise app purchases.

1. Get a case to protect your smartphone

2. When you're in class, focus on your teacher, not on your phone — put your phone is Silent Mode to keep it from buzzing during class

3. Communicate the consequences if your kids don't call you back — and then follow through with it if they abuse their privileges

4. Don't text and drive (if they're old enough)

5. Don't say things online you wouldn't want grandma to read (things said online are forever

6. Lock your phone with a password, so the data stored on it stays safe

7. Don't share your passwords

8. Keep pictures appropriate — don't take pics you don't want me to see

9. Don't connect to open public Wi-Fi networks

10. Explain to your kids why you will be monitoring their browsing activities, if you use an iOS parental control product like Family Protector