I’m amazed at how kids these days, below 12 years old and as young as young as 2, efficiently navigate on a smartphone as adults do. I mean, a part of me is impressed at how techie these mobile kids are, but I am more likely to worry at what these kids might miss as technology seem to take a toll over their childhood.

In a Nielsen Mobile Kids Report showed that the most predominant age kids get a service plan is at age 10 (22%), followed by 8 years old (16%) and ages 9 and 11 tied at 15%. Among 10-12-year-olds, the highest percentage of age represented was age 10 at 34%. The vast majority (93%) are on the same plan as their parents, and 72% own mobile wireless services including voice, messaging and data.

However, issues of concern on the mobile kid’s welfare and level of responsibility came upon the parents where 77% said they fear that the phone might be lost easily. 72% were concerned about smartphone posing too much distraction, while 68% lack of control of what the kids might access or see online and 67% expressed concern on kids might not know how to use their phones responsibly.

Well, here are six ways to help parents control their kids’ mobile phone use:

Parental Control Apps

Parental control apps limit time spent on the device, track usage and location and block apps or games as necessary. It may cost an additional dollar or two per month but will allow you to customize control options for the precise content you want to prevent.

Engage kids with weekend or summer activities like journalism classes where they can potentially become responsible media practitioners as they learn different writing skills like blogging. Click here to get more blogging ideas.

Involve them in productive activities like putting up a lemon juice cart outside the house. This will not only get them busy and momentarily forget about drooling over games on smartphones but will also give them the knowledge on how to run a business and earn. Learn more about gaining positive business reviews.

To not to impose the control strategy of mobile use too obvious, have the kids do some worthwhile activity on their smartphone by letting them connect with peers regarding school work, reading or engaging them with your online business by making them your little assistants. This will make them a little less shackled from their smartphones and would find learning about your work or business fun and enjoyable. Check out this blog.

Also, leave them with a household chore that is appropriate for their age like getting dirty clothes to the laundry or cleaning up their room. This will induce a sense of responsibility in them, however never insist on perfection and commend them for getting the job done.

Finally, impose a stern “no cell phone policy” during mealtime at home or during a family dine out in a restaurant. This will make the kids realize the value of “family time” where mom, dad and everybody else just talks, laugh and have fun on the dinner table without being bogged by a text, a post or a chat from a smartphone.