It used to be that parents were skeptical when it came to their kids using cell phones. The technology seemed too grown up for kids and teens, and the possibilities of them having instant secret communication with their friends sparked concerns about all kinds of trouble.
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Today, all that is changing. More and more parents are getting onboard with the emerging technologies offered by cell phone companies. They're realizing that cell phones can help kids stay safe and connected to their families as well as giving them access to fun and entertainment.
Parents themselves also benefit from cell phones and the new information technologies that come with some models. Moms and dads can have access to useful information through handheld Internet access. Best of all they can keep track of their kids' location.
Apple introduced the much-anticipated iphone in 2007. The phone's chic, streamlined appearance and touch screen instantly set the iphone apart from anything else on the market at the time.
Later, Apple introduced third party applications, which soon evolved into the App Store. The App Store allows iphone users to choose from hundreds of thousands of applications that make life easier and more fun.
There are applications for downloading music, searching maps, playing games, and just about anything else a user wants to do. Having all this information and entertainment in the palm of your hand is a natural draw for young people and parents alike.
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What are the best apps for parents? That depends on what your family is interested in and what you like to do with your time. Of course, there's a huge collection of game and music apps on the iphone, and your older kids and teens will likely make great use of these. But parents tend to be more interested in applications that have some practical everyday value.
There are some apps that many parents find particularly useful, and here a few for you to check out.
Educational Fun
Most parents put educational features high on their list of musts when it comes to determining the value of any item intended for their children. The iphone has countless education-oriented apps for kids from preschool to high school, including memory games, match games, homework helpers, trivia and much, much more. Here are just a few standouts.
Kindle is the hugely popular reading app for the iphone. For families who want to encourage a love of reading, Kindle is the app to have. With Kindle, you and your kids can take just about any book or magazine along with you wherever you go.
This app can be very useful if your older kids want to read on a long car trip or during a long wait in the doctor's or dentist's waiting room.
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Some parents have expressed concerns about replacing "real" paper books with an electronic screen format, but it's unlikely the iphone's Kindle function will lead to the eradication of bound books anytime soon. Most people still prefer traditional books for extensive study sessions. The Kindle app's main appeal is that it's a light, portable way to take your favorite reading material with you.
Popmath Basic Math is an app that helps elementary school age children practice their skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The app features colorful number bubbles. Kids have to match the equations with the appropriate answers.
There are no more excuses for handing in that essay late. The My Homework app helps kids to get their homework handed in one time. This app tracks all kinds of homework, assignment, projects, and tests.
Diet and Nutrition
When you have children, food is often on your mind. You're either wondering what you can make for dinner that everyone will enjoy or you're trying to steer your children to healthier eating choices while on the go. Of course, you have your own diet to consider, too. The iphone features apps that can help you with all your family food planning. The only thing it can't do is cook dinner for you.
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Nutrition Menu Calorie Counter is a miracle app for anyone watching their caloric intake. It helps you determine the calorie content of thousands of foods, including items from most major fast food chains. This app can be customized to work with your specific dietary needs, and works with popular diet plans like Weight watchers, South Beach and others.
The Allrecipes.com Dinner Spinner is a great source of inspiration for cooks who find themselves in a rut. Just type in the ingredients you have on hand along with some other basic information and the Spinner suggests a recipe for you to try. For families who deal with food allergies and need to plan meals accordingly, this app has settings that filter out certain ingredients like dairy, peanuts or shellfish.
If you or someone in your family wants to eat more vegetarian or vegan meals, whether it's for health or ethical reasons, Vegan Yum Yum Mobile is the app for you. Learn how to prepare all kinds of delicious meat-free dishes at the touch of a button.
Safety and Discipline
Cell phones are used mainly as social tools for older children and teens. When your kids start getting out into the world and spending more time with their friends, you're likely to have concerns about safety. In recent years, some parents have decided to track their teens through GPS applications without the teen's knowledge. While some parents find this works for them, alternative methods exist.
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The iphone offers some incredible tools to help you stay connected with your kids when they're out and about and to help teach them to make good choices.
The iCurfew app enables teens to send parents their location information. This way mom and dad can be sure their child is where they say they are and can come get them if they need to be picked up.
Positive Discipline Tools For Teens is an app that gives parents access to quick tips for smart ways to handle your teenager's moods and behavior. The tools focus on positive reinforcement and non-punishment strategies that encourage teens to develop personal responsibility.