Parent should draw up ‘phone contract’ for child to prevent cyberbullying

Parents who are giving their children a mobile phone for the first time this Christmas should ideally sit down and make a “phone contract” with them first, according to an expert on cyberbullying.

They should not just walk into a shop, buy a phone and hand it to their child without sitting down and discussing how the child can keep itself safe, says forensic psychologist, Dr Maureen Griffin.

Dr Griffin acknowledged there isn’t a “right age” to give a child a phone as some people will want to give a younger child a phone for safety reasons or so they can contact a parent who doesn’t live in the family home.