A recent survey by The Nielsen Company in the U.S. indicates that almost a third of the apps on smartphones owned by parents who allow their children to install apps, were downloaded by their children.

A mobile phone might be thought of as a personal possession; however, many people allow others to download apps to their phone. In fact, a recent study by The Nielsen Company in the U.S. shows that 13 per cent of app downloaders allow their spouse or their partner to install apps on their phone, while eight per cent allow their children to do the same. When the latter group of parents was asked what percentage of the apps on their phone was downloaded by their children, the average response was 30 per cent.

Further, the study shows that the average age at which the parents’ youngest child started downloading apps was nine years.

Possible dangers
Smartphones, with their user-friendly and intuitive interface, have great appeal among children and young people. The vast variety of available apps offer entertainment, useful information and loads of fun. However, there are a few things parents need to be aware of.

Recently, a group of parents in the U.S. filed a lawsuit in San Francisco, due to Apple’s in-app purchasing policies, which have caused children to accumulate huge credit card bills via iTunes

Read more: Apple sued over in-app purchasing policies

As well as this, a large number of apps have content that is intended for adults, and don’t forget that smartphones provide access to the Internet, with all that entails of joys and challenges. If children are allowed to download apps or surf the Internet without restrictions, they might be exposed to inappropriate and potentially harmful content.

Read more:  Children, young people, and a world of apps

Knowledge and caution are key factors
However, blaming the producers of phones, and suing them, might not be the appropriate solution. In fact, most smartphones, and their operative systems, come with information and parental controls that make it possible to ensure, to a certain extent, that children don’t get access to inappropriate material or spend large amounts of money without their parents’ knowledge.

If parents take some precautionary measures, there should be no problem that parents allow their children to use their smartphone.

Kids and Media’s advice on children and smartphones:

• Spend some time getting to know smartphones, the opportunities and potential dangers that come with it, and the vast app marked you get access to. Learn how to adjust the phone’s settings, how to set appropriate restrictions and/or regulate the parental controls.

• Agree on rules for downloading, both in terms of which kind of apps, number of apps and limits on spending. In order to download apps you need to create an account with a password. All purchases of apps require that you register a credit card. It might be a good idea for parents to create an account in their name until the children reach a certain age, making it easier to keep a track of downloads and spending. Do not to give your password to your child.

• Make sure that the apps your children use are age appropriate. Apple gives advice in regard to the recommended age of a given app in the App Store (tap on the desired app and navigate to the bottom of the page, where you’ll find information on rating). However, keep in mind that it is the app developers who decide the rating, and this may be inaccurate. Google announced in the autumn that all app developers need to include an age rating, but for now, not all apps in the Android Market are rated.

• Be aware of hidden costs! Many apps are free to download, but in reality there are many hidden and/or potential costs. Some free apps encourage you to download a better version that you are then required to pay for, some contain clickable ads, and some might be portals for product sales, while others require you to buy upgrades while playing.

• Limit your children’s screen time. Even if games are educational, the use of smartphones should be included as part of the "total package" of permitted daily screen time. Find alternative activities and encourage your children to do physical activities in their leisure time – both outside and inside. 

• Don’t forget that smartphones provide access to the Internet, with all that entails of joys and challenges.
  

Source:

Nielsen Wire
U.S. Parents Say Almost A Third of the Apps on Their Phone Were Downloaded by Their Children

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