In Screen Time, tech reporter Rutger Otto writes on the internet every week and everything that comes with it. This time he wonders: why would you take out a special telephone subscription for your child?
The parent, the child and the telephone: a triangular relationship that has been under tension in recent years. The child wants a phone to chat with friends, watch movies and play. Parents want children to be accessible, but also see the risks. Conversations with strangers, doom scrolling, sleeping problems, inappropriate online images, you name it.
Due to the shift in the public debate (and the emerging movement for smartphone -free growing up), I looked aim for a message from Odido. The provider has had new subscriptions since this week, aimed at children. For me it felt a bit contradictory with the social trend.
One of the subscriptions is for children up to the age of twelve and works with a smartwatch. With that, children can call and share their location. In addition, there is a telephone subscription for teenagers up to and including seventeen years. That subscription has a data limit and blockages that ensure that teenagers do not just incur high costs through in-app purchases and bells to 0900 numbers. KPN also offers such subscriptions.
Because I am curious about the thought behind these subscriptions, I call Tisha van Lammeren, CCO from Odido. She says that the provider signaled problems around smartphones and parents in society. “And we wondered: what do we actually contribute to? We think technology is cool and it has positive sides. We can try to familiarize children in a controlled way in the smartphone world.”
Odido has created a whole online platform to give parents and children more tools to enter the online world. To support this approach, I call Ina Koning. As a researcher at VU University Amsterdam, she was involved in drawing up the Government Directive for Healthy Screen Use.
Koning can largely agree with the initiative of Odido. “It can protect young people online a little better,” she says. “It is good that they indicate that twelve years is advised for their own smartphone.”
And the smartwatch? She is a little less enthusiastic about that. According to her, it is not always good to buy gadgets that children can follow as a parent. For parents, such a smartwatch offers a bit of convenience and reassurance. “But if ‘ease’ is the only reason, I would not do it,” says Koning. “The alternative may result in more hassle, but as a parent, ask yourself how you want your children to grow up. At a young age it is important to learn independence and responsibility.”
It is not that parents never have to buy a smartwatch. Sometimes it is really handy. If children do not grow up in a safe neighborhood, for example. Or if they are bullied a lot.
I see web shops full of GPS watches for children. They are clearly popular and King thinks that many more children will soon have one. “We’re going to see a shift,” she says. “At first, children got a smartphone and younger. Now there is a guideline that advises to start a phone in group eight. That is why younger children will probably get a smartwatch more often.”
I think it is smart of Odido to tap this gap in the market and to address a new target group. Or am I cynical? Odido says that the subscriptions have started from an idea to support parents. “Otherwise, if I am very honest, we would have sold unlimited subscriptions to children,” says Van Lammeren. “We could also have pulled our hands off.”
In Screen Time, Tech Reporter Rutger Otto Writes Weekly about the Internet and Everything That Comes with It. This time he asks himself: Why would you take out a special phone subscription for your child?
The Parent, The Child, and the Phone: A Triangular Relationship That Has Come Under Pressure in recent Years. The Child Wants A Phone to Chat With Friends, Watch Videos, And Play Games. Parents Want Their Children to Be Reachable, but also see the risks. Conversations with Strangers, Doomscrolling, Sleep Problems, Inappropriate Online Images, You Name It.
Due to the Shift in Public Debate (and the Emerging Movement for Smartphone-Free Upbringing) I was a bit surprised by a Message from Odido. The Provider Has had New Subscriptions This Week, Aimed at Children. It felt somewhat contradictory to the social trend to me.
One of the subscriptions is for children up to twelve years old and works with a smartwatch. This allows children to make calls and share their location. There is also a phone subscription for teenagers up to seventeen years old. That subscription has a data limit and blockades that Ensure that teenagers do not Easily Incur High Costs through in-app Purchases and calls to 0900 Numbers. KPN also sacrifices Such subscriptions.
Because I am Curious about the Idea Behind Thesis Subscriptions, I Call Tisha van Lammeren, CCO or Odido. She says that the provider signaled problems with smartphones and parents in society. “And we Asked Ourselves: What Do We Actually Contribute? We Think Technology is Cool and It Has Positive Sides. We can try to guide children in a controlled manner in the smartphone world.”
Odido has created an entire online platform to give parents and children more tools to enter the online world. To substantine this approach, I call ina king. As a researcher at the VU University Amsterdam, She was Involved in Drawing Up the Government Guideline for Healthy Screen use.
King Largely Agrees with Odido’s Initiative. “It can protect Young People Online A Little Better,” She Says. “It is good that they indicate that twelve years is recruited for owning a smartphone.”
And the smartwatch? She is a little less enthusiastic about that. Accordance to her, it is not always good for parents to buy gadgets that can track children. For Parents, Such a smartwatch sacrifices a piece of convenience and reassurance. “But if ‘convenience’ is the only reason, I would do it,” Says Koning. “The alternative May Involve More Hassle, but as a parent ask yourself how you want your children to grow up. At a young age it is important to Learn Independence and Responsibility.”
It is not that parents should never buy a smartwatch. Sometimes It is Really useful. For example, if children do not grow up in a safe neighborhood. Or if they are bullied a lot.
I see web shops full of GPS Watches for Children. They are clearly popular and king that many more children will be wearing one soon. “We are going to see a shift,” She says. “First, children were getting a smartphone at an increasingly Younger Age. Now there is a guideline that advises against starting a phone until group Eight. That is Why Younger Children Will Probable A Smartwatch More Often.”
I think it is smart of odido to tap into this gap in the market and appeal to a new target group. OR AM I BEING CYNICAL? Odido Says That The Subscriptions Started From An Idea To Support Parents. “Otherwise, if I’m bee very honest, we would have just sold unlimited subscriptions to children,” Says van Lammeren. “We could also have washed our hands of it.”