Towards the end of summer, parents typically start planning to send their kids back to school. This can mean changes to work schedules, commute times, and home life. It can be stressful. To make things just a little bit easier, I’ve put together a few back to school tech tips.
1. Consider a phone plan with no annual contract
Like every year, some parents will likely be buying their kids’ first phones this year. This can be a big decision for several reasons. With all of the uncertainty about this year’s back to school situation, it might be wise to sign up for a prepaid phone plan. That way, it will be easy to only pay for the service you need.
There are some affordable AT&T PREPAID phone plans for customers who don’t want to commit to an annual contract. The other good news about prepaid phones is that you can sign up for a plan using a phone you already own through a bring your own device method. If you are looking to buy a new phone, however, there are also some good prepaid phone deals.
2. Invest in superfast internet and high-quality equipment
Whether your student will be taking virtual classes or just needs powerful internet to support research for homework, it’s wise to make sure you are prepared with the right equipment. When it comes to your Internet, you’ll want service that is reliable and has strong, smart Wi-Fi in your entire home.[1] If you live within AT&T’s 100% fiber footprint, the perfect example of this would be the entertainment-grade, superfast 1 GIG Internet powered by AT&T FiberSM. Go here to check for availability.
This will allow virtual classes or online research to happen more smoothly, because you’ll get consistent speed even at peak times.
A Quick Note on Wi-Fi Extenders
If your kids will be using the Internet a bit farther away from your W-Fi Gateway, you should consider a Wi-Fi extender. This ensures your Wi-Fi signal is strong, fast and accessible throughout your entire home. For more details about this technology and how it might be able to help, check out this blog post.
3. Phone cases and screen protectors
Particularly when they are a younger, kids might be a little more likely to damage a device than their parents. Because nobody wants to replace a smartphone because their kid dropped it on the pavement, it can be wise to invest in a decent phone case, a screen protector, and a phone insurance plan. This way, you are more prepared if things go wrong.
4. A good set of headphones
Picking up a few pairs of headphones would also be a great idea. If your kids do any virtual classes or need to watch things online for their homework, the rest of the family would probably appreciate not having to listen to what they’re doing online, especially if they are also working from home.
5. Consider tablets for younger kids
This could be a great fit for younger kids in particular. Tablets are easy to use and great for both entertainment and educational apps. With the right apps and supervision, they can be a great way for kids to keep themselves preoccupied in a productive way. Check out this blog post on how to pick a tablet for kids.
Hopefully, all of these ideas can help you make this back to school season just a little bit easier. For now, enjoy the rest of your summer!
This article is AT&T sponsored content written by Matt Johnsen, a TechBuzz contributor. The statements in this article are his own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.
[1] AT&T Smart Wi-Fi requires installation of a BGW210, 5268AC, or NVG599 Wi-Fi Gateway. Standard with Internet plans (12M or higher). Whole home Wi-Fi connectivity may require AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender(s) sold separately.