Sprint helps parents tackle the tough question: "Is my child ready for a wireless phone?" and provides tools to aid parents in decision

“Kid’s First Phone” website – an all-in-one resource – offers expert advice, online quiz, and tools to help parents decide when to buy children their first phone

Sprint Helps Parents Tackle the Tough Question: “Is My Child Ready for a Wireless Phone?” and Provides Tools to Aid Parents in Decision (https://kidsfirstphone.sprint.com)(Graphic: Business Wire)

The average age a child gets their first smartphone is 10.3 years old. https://kidsfirstphone.sprint.com (Graphic: Business Wire)

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), July 13, 2016 - Sprint (NYSE: S) is providing a one-stop resource to help parents determine the right time to buy their child their first wireless phone. With the launch of “Kid’s First Phone” website (https://kidsfirstphone.sprint.com), Sprint is providing expert advice, an online quiz and other information to help parents make this decision. There is even a customizable parent-child mobile contract to set parameters and agree upon rules and limits for uses of a mobile phone.

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Did you know? According to Influence Central, in 2016:

• The average age a child gets their first smartphone is 10.3 years old.
• 64 percent of kids already have Internet access via personal tablets/laptops.
• 1 in 2 kids will have a social media account by age 12.

In today’s world, the question of when to purchase a child’s first phone certainly deserves attention. A wireless phone means growing independence, ease of logistics/scheduling, safety and security, but there are also concerns about cyber-bullying, inappropriate content and even out-of-control spending.

Sprint’s “Kid’s First Phone” website serves as a trusted advisor for parents and includes expert advice from Katie Hurley, LCSW, psychotherapist and author of “The Happy Kid Handbook.” Parents can take a quiz to determine an individual child’s readiness for a wireless phone, download and customize a wireless phone contract for themselves and their child, and read/experience third-party commentary on this topic.

Advice from an Expert

“This website is a great opportunity to sit down with your child and engage in a thoughtful discussion and even sign a wireless contract to set rules and limits,” said Hurley. “One of the first things I advise is asking yourself why you want this for your child. Is your child mature enough? And, what is the specific need for the wireless phone? Start from there and you’ll be off to a good, healthy and fruitful discussion for the entire family.”

Commitment from Sprint to Parents

Sprint is making a major commitment to help parents navigate the purchase of their child’s first phone. “We hope this site better arms parents with information to help them navigate the many questions they may have on whether or not the time is right for their child to have a phone and all the responsibility that goes with ownership,” said Roger Solé, chief marketing officer, Sprint. “This is a one-stop shop to enable parents to make a crucial buying decision with peace of mind.”

Sprint has long been a leader in terms of family offerings and currently offers its customers several apps that help parents stay in touch with their children and monitor their phone usage. Sprint Family Locator allows you to track up to five devices. Sprint Mobile Controls lets you monitor, limit and block content on Android phones. Sprint Drive First helps keep your kids safe by stopping distracted driving and keeping focus on the road. Family Wall for Sprint helps everyone stay connected with an all-in social app that allows families to share and connect via their own private social network.