Collaborative post by another author. As a mum, one of your top priorities is keeping your children safe and with the ever-growing popularity of smartphones among kids, it's more important than ever to set ground rules for how they use their phones. Here are some tips on how to do just that.

The first step is to have a family discussion about phone usage and why it's essential to set rules. Then, explain that you want to make sure they're using their phones in a way that's safe and responsible. The next step is to sit down and brainstorm a list of rules together. Some things you may want to consider are:

• What times of day they can use their phones
• Where they can use their phones (eg not in their bedrooms)
• Who they can call/text
• What apps they can use
• How much time they can spend on their phone each day

Once you've come up with a list of rules, write them down and post them somewhere everyone in the family can see them. And be sure to explain that these rules are not up for negotiation!

Of course, setting ground rules is only half the battle. It would be best if you also enforced them. The best way to do this is to lead by example. If you're constantly on your phone, it's going to be tough to get your kids to put theirs down. So set some rules for yourself as well! In addition, for more information on how to help your kids stay safe online, have a look down below at this useful infographic that's camp-packed with valuable tips!

Infographic Design By Kidadl