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  • The Best Tablets for Kids

    The Best Tablets for Kids

    Screen-time for kids may be a controversial topic, but plenty of parents have discovered fun, educational ways to integrate technology into their children’s lives. We’ve rounded up the best tablets for kids of different ages so that you can make an informed decision about which one to purchase.

    Why Buy a Kids’ Tablet?

    Unlike “grown-up” tablets and smartphones made by Samsung or Apple, devices designed for kids have more robust designs to withstand rough handling and more options for parental controls to limit or block certain functions. Many kids’ tablets come pre-loaded with age-appropriate apps; for example, the kid editions of the Amazon Fire tablets are bundled with a subscription to FreeTime.

    Best Tablets for Ages 3 to 6

    For the littlest ones, a kid-friendly tablet like those made by Leapfrog is your best bet. The LeapFrog Epic is tough but basic, with an intuitive Android OS that can run either the premium proprietary apps from LeapFrog or third-party apps from Amazon. One downside to the Epic is the battery life, which only lasts about five hours. If you’re planning a trip and need to keep the kiddos entertained, make sure to bring the tablet’s charger!

    Best Tablet on a Budget

    Although it doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as the newest model, the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition is the best value on the market. We love the sturdy, bright case that comes with the Kids Edition, as well as the year-long subscription to Amazon’s FreeTime Unlimited, which is stocked with plenty of games, books, videos, and other digital delights. Best of all, Amazon offers a two-year replacement plan, so if accidents happen—and with kids, they often do—you will be covered.

    Best Tablet for Work and Play

    The Kurio Smart is an interesting hybrid of kids’ tablet and basic laptop. The detachable keyboard and Windows 10 operating system lets the Kurio Smart function more like a simple laptop, which is great for kids who need to browse the internet and use Microsoft Office products for schoolwork. It performs equally well as a tablet for reading and games once the homework is done.

    Best Tablet to Grow with the Child

    If you have the budget for it, the iPad Mini is the most versatile tablet on the market. While we wouldn’t recommend it for toddlers, elementary school kids can get years of use out of an iPad as their educational and entertainment needs change. Though more fragile than the tablets made just for kids, the iPad Mini can also do a lot more. Great display, long battery life, and top-notch support from Apple make the iPad Mini a worthwhile investment. Just make sure you also purchase a kid-friendly plastic case and a screen protector—you’ll want this tablet to last!

  • Verizon Smart Family Knows Where Your Kids Are

    Verizon Smart Family Knows Where Your Kids Are

    Verizon announced an upgrade to its FamilyBase program, now called Verizon Smart Family, that includes tracking, blocking, and monitoring options. Parents and guardians can sign up for either the basic or premium service for a monthly fee, but is the cost worth it?

    Parenting in a Digital World

    Kids today have access to a vast universe information and entertainment with a single tap of a smartphone. For many parents, that’s worrisome. Excessive screen time, viewing inappropriate content, or risky texting behavior are concerns for parents in the digital age.

    “Being a parent in today’s digital world can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Verizon Senior Product Manager Susie Fernandes.

    It’s becoming increasingly rare for a teen or tween—or even younger children—not to have their own smartphone. Most service providers offer some form of parental controls, but Verizon has taken it to the next level with their Smart Family service.

    New App Features

    Verizon Smart Family gives parents and guardians an unprecedented amount of control over their children’s phones. It improves on the FamilyBase service with a redesigned interface and more intuitive controls.

    Smart Family also offers a finer degree of customization than the previous service. Parents can choose to limit or block phone and internet functions during specific days or even hours, ensuring for uninterrupted study time or more effective grounding. Specific sites and apps can also be blocked or limited, and parents have the option to monitor social media activity, call logs, and text messages.

    Basic or Premium?

    The basic version of Verizon Smart Family costs $5 a month. The premium version includes real-time location tracking using GPS data, which costs $10 a month. Parents may find that it’s worth the extra 5 bucks to know where their children are at any given time, and to receive alerts if the kids move out of a pre-set area such as home or school. Smart Family can also send notifications when, for example, your kids arrive home after school.

    Ultimately, families will need to decide the appropriate level of monitoring and control that works for both the parents and their kids, but Verizon Smart Family has given them a lot more options to consider.