Determine if your child is ready; plan and communicate usage guidelines; and know how to prep mobile devices with appropriate parental controls and protective apps and filters.

by Kristen A. Jenson

Is your child begging for a smartphone, tablet or iPad? Many parents wonder at what age a child is ready to have a constant connection to the Internet via a mobile device. Horror stories abound about kids accessing hard core pornography via iPads, iPod Touches and smartphones, so parents are wise to proceed with caution.

Following are 3 proactive and protective strategies,crammed with great advice and links, to use before (or even after) your kids receive access to a mobile device.

ONE: Determine if your child is ready for a mobile phone.

Lookout (a mobile cyber security company) in conjunction with The Online Mom, published a family smartphone guide. Here are their four questions to help decide if a…