Research published today reveals growing concerns amongst parents whose children use mobile phones. Statistics reveal that four in five British parents (81%) are worried about issues surrounding their children’s mobile phone use including contact from strangers, theft and cyber-bullying.
Parents, however, admit mobiles can play a crucial role in child protection with the majority (71%) saying they let their child have a handset to make contact in an emergency. The research also reveals almost two-thirds (58%) of children would be horrified to have their phone taken away.
This presents a growing dilemma for British parents who are increasingly
looking for a solution to balance both their peace of mind and their children’s safety needs. This problem can now be solved thanks to the OmegoMobile phone, the first handset to give parents full control over how their children use their mobile, which is launched today.
The research, issued to mark the launch, was conducted amongst over 1,000 UK parents. It also reveals that parents admit to being in the dark about exactly who their child is talking to on their mobile, with a third (28%) knowing less than half of the contacts who their children call or text personally. Also, nearly half (45%) admit they don’t know enough about mobile phones.
Andrew White, chief executive of OmegoMobile says: “British parents are
clearly concerned over their children’s mobile phone use – whether it’s because of contact from strangers or because of cyber bullying. The OmegoMobile phone is designed to meet the needs of parents and to address these concerns.
“With the OmegoMobile parents are in charge of all their children’s mobile contact via an easy-to-use website; here they enter the contacts they want to be on their child’s phone. It allows children to stay in touch, stay safe and still stay mobile.”
Dr David Sheffield, reader in biological and health psychology from Staffordshire University says: “Mobile phones can be a useful way in which children can learn to interact with their friends as well as being an effective safety device. They can also be very easily overused causing problems at home and at school. Parents can and should be actively involved in guiding and controlling the use of their children’s phones so that children learn to use them in a healthy and safe way.”
Kaynak : 