You are finally ready to give your child a smartphone! Congrats! I’m sure you’ve already done your research and figured out exactly which phone you will get them. Now you are ready to hand it over, but not so fast! There are a few rules you should implement now before they get too attached to that shiny new phone.

Rule #1: It is NOT their device

When you hand over a device to your child, it is important that they understand the cell phone is actually yours (the parent’s) and not theirs. As such you have the ability to control what goes on and what they do on the device. Unless the child paid for the device AND pays for the service, you still maintain full control over the cell phone.

Also, since they are merely borrowing the device, they need to be responsible and take good care of the phone. Any cracked screens or other types of damage will need to be repaired promptly, and with their own money. If they don’t earn money, they will need to do extra chores for a while to pay for the repairs.

Rule #2: Apps will need to be approved

Going along with rule #1, since you (the parent) are responsible for the device, you will only allow them to install approved apps. Using a parental control app like Boomerang will ensure that your child will not be able to use a newly installed app unless a parent has manually approved the app for use. Help them to understand that you will research any requested app to make sure it is appropriate for them to use, and sometimes you will not approve an application’s use.

Rule #3: Communication will remain appropriate and during appropriate hours

Texting, messaging and phone calls should be strictly forbidden during late night hours. When parents are sleeping, kids should not be able to use their phone. When you are tired, and the house is dark, it is easy to make poor decisions about what you are sending to other people. Tired texts can be just as damaging as drunk texts. Don’t let them happen to your child.

Rule #4: Don’t use the phone while driving (except for navigation and music purposes)

If your child is old enough to drive, this should be the #1 rule. Since many kids don’t even text very much anymore (they use messaging apps) it’s no longer enough to say don’t text and drive. Unless you are using the navigation on the phone or playing music from your phone, there isn’t much else you need to do on your phone while you are driving. Turn on the music and the navigation, and then don’t touch the phone again for the rest of the trip. The roads will be a much safer place without distracted drivers!

Rule #5: Inform adults about questionable content

Finally, if your child receives a message or text that makes them uncomfortable, make sure they know to report it to you right away. Even going a small step further, make sure they also report if they accidentally come across questionable content whether it’s on YouTube or just browsing the internet. Let them know you will be checking up on them anyway, so if they don’t report it and you find out about it, they might get in big trouble. When they do report it, work with them to figure out how to prevent it from happening again.

When your child receives a cell phone for the first time, they are going to be so excited to get it, that they may just agree to anything. Establish these rules now while they are still willing to do whatever it takes for smartphone “freedom”!