Why use the Smartphone Licence Program?

Check out this video to meet Zac and find out why we created the Smartphone Licensing Program and how it may benefit your whanau

How it works

Just like a drivers licence is designed to teach people how to drive their cars safely; the Smartphone Licence Program is designed to guide your child/young person to use their Smartphones safely

Restricted Smartphone Licence

Our program guides you as a parent to place restrictions and conditions on your child’s smartphone use. In the same way that having your restricted drivers licence places restrictions on using your car, the Restricted Smartphone Licence can do the same for your child’s smartphone

  • Step one: Watch a short tutorial video discussing the critical importance of using smartphones safely. This video can be viewed together as a family or separately; the most important thing is to use the video as a starting point to have a meaningful conversation with your child about smartphone use

  • Step two: After watching the video, as a family you will create your Restricted Smartphone License contract. This contract is your opportunity as a family to be clear about how you want your child to safely use their smartphone. Once this is received the SLP team will issue your child/young person their Restricted Smartphone License

  • Support from the SLP Team: The SLP Team will be available throughout the time your child goes through the program, helping to troubleshoot any issues and recommend solutions. You will be able to message us with any questions, challenges or issues which the team will respond to. If necessary the team can impose suspensions of a license resulting in your child/young person losing their phone privileges. Working with you as a parent the SLP team will support to make sure that your family sticks to the Restricted Smartphone Licence contract you have signed. As a registered member of the program you will also receive 1 free coaching call. Click here for more info about coaching calls

Full Smartphone Licence

  • After 12 months of your child/young person having their Restricted Smartphone Licence they will be eligible for to apply for their Full Smartphone Licence. As a family you will watch another tutorial video and as parents you will click a button stating you are happy for your child/young person to be issued their Full Smartphone Licence

What if my child/young person already has a smartphone?

Though this may make it more challenging, with some tactful honest conversations we believe you will be able to get your child/young person to agree to engage with the Smartphone Licence Program

We also offer smartphone coaching where you can share some of your present concerns or struggles with your child’s smartphone use. For more info click here

Meet Zac

Zac Kim is the Creator of the Smartphone Licence Program. Over the years he has had the privilege of working for children and young people wearing a number of different hats, including;

  • Youth Pastor at a local church

  • Care & protection social worker

  • Youth mentor

  • High school counsellor

  • Suicide Prevention Co-ordinator

It is through these experiences that Zac recognised some of the struggles that children and young people go through due to using smartphone unsafely. This was the genesis moment for him to create the Smartphone Licence Program.

Alongside working in Suicide Prevention, Zac is also a registered social worker, and an approved suicide bereavement counsellor through Aoake te ra. He also Pastors a local church community in Dunedin called C3 Dunedin

Zac lives in Otepoti-Dunedin with his wife Rachel. He and his wife love eating good food and exploring Aotearoa’s beautiful landscapes.