Good Day
I will be traveling to Italy this summer with my teenage daughter. What would you all recommend is the best way to secure her smartphone other then holding it all the time. She is planning on mainly wearing sundresses. Any help you provide would be appriciated.
Hi there,
If you can get her to do it there are several type of phone lanyards that attach to the phone and can be worn cross body. Last year in Glasgow my phone fell out of my pocket when getting out of an Uber. I didn't realize it until the driver pulled away. Even though we reported it immediately, it was not turned into police station until we were in Italy. It took me 2 months and the kindness of a tour director to get it back to Oregon. Cost $250 to ship! (BTW, we self insure and it was a new phone). It created alot of stress for me since my life is in my phone.
Bandolier phone case with neck strap. A little expensive , but high quality. They offer great colors now, and I like the case with the side snap pocket, which can hold a phone battery, money, etc.
I've used these for over a decade, and highly recommend them.
Safe travels.
She is planning on mainly wearing sundresses.
You may already know this - but make sure she has something to cover her shoulders and knees if you plan to enter any churches- including the Pantheon.
If she wears a small to medium size cross body bag she should be able to fit her phone and a scarf for cover up.
Holding it in your hand is not a good anti-theft strategy.
I can report two friends having their phone taken out of their hands while speaking, in Florence and in the past four weeks. As for me, yesterday a fellow took my wallet out of my shoulder bag when boarding a tram in front of the railway station. But I was very determined in asking my wallet back and I got it. - What is remarkable about this scene, it happened in front of three uniformed police officials who pretended not to notice it.
Last month my 14 year old used a belt bag (aka fanny pack) worn crossbody on a 2 week school trip to Japan. She attached her phone inside the bag using a carabiner. Also carried her cash, sunglasses, lip balm. It was very secure, and maybe more importantly to your teen, very stylish! Belt bags are very popular at the moment. Here is one option. https://shop.lululemon.com/p/bags/Everywhere-Belt-Bag/_/prod8900747?color=0001&sz=ONESIZE
Have her use either a belt bag or cross body purse. One with secure fasteners. She will need something like it to carry her daily necessities anyway. Only have the phone in your hand when actively using it. At any other time it should be securely out of sight.
I've taken my phone with me for almost 15 years. Never ever have your phone in your hand while walking. Always put it in a bag/purse.
As for securing her phone, as long as you keep an eye on your purse you will be fine.
As for what not to do, here is what I have seen teenagers do in Europe. Put their phone on a seat in a museum and get up to look at a painting.
Eating at a restaurant with their phone at the edge of a table.
Walking with every zipper undone in their purse or backpack. An easy way to get coats, wallets and other essentials.
I will agree with others, no body is going to jump you and rip the cell phone from you, especially with all the security features that make it a brick once out of your hands. Probably the best would be a small purse or bag, worn crossbody, to hold everything.
You really do not need it as you are walking, use it when you have awareness of your surroundings, and you will be fine. No sticking it hanging out of your back pocket as seems to be the norm, no setting it on the table, just keep possession.
She could use in Italy the same strategy to "secure her smartphone" she uses at home. Otherwise a small bag pack with some water and a light shawl to enter churches should work.
Italians get their smartphones stolen too! All three cases I heard the scenario was similar: new quite expensive smartphone, Italian user looking at it/using it while waiting for the bus (ordinary, not necessarily full of tourists), put it away 'safely' in zipped pocket/cross body bag when boarded crowded bus with only standing room. When they got off, no phone.....Naples, Turin, Brescia.......
Situational awareness
Crossbody bag (in front)
This. I suggest you review smartphone use. I see lots of tourists and amazing, wonderful places staring down at their phones. You are paying a lot of money for the opportunity see wonderful sites. Put the phone away (it will be safer) and enjoy the view.
My daughter (age 25) is currently in Rome for the summer. She mostly wears dresses and has the lululemon belt bag mentioned upthread. She wears it as a crossbody and keeps her hand on it in crowds, on transportation etc. It fits her phone, her small wallet and basically anything else she might want to carry.
I had my Pixel 6L stolen when I set it down next to me on a bench in Canal Saint Martin in Paris two days ago. I set it down for only 3 or 4 seconds.
I have this phone lanyard. It's great - and makes it difficult to be taken out of your hands. It also made me feel secure when I was using my phone to take photos on a hot air balloon ride. If I accidently dropped the phone, I'd still have it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MVNYCYR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
I like this particular lanyard, because there is nothing blocking the screen. The only thing that I don't like about wearing it is that when it's around my neck, it can swing a bit. Lengthening the cord and wearing it cross body should help - or tucking it in something else when the phone isn't in use.
I also have a small bag that I usually wear crossbody. It's small enough that I don't remove it very often at all. I always keep it on on the plane, etc. It can be worn over the shoulder, cross body or as a belt bag. It holds my phone (zipped), credit cards, a small about a cash, passport, folded boarding pass, keys, chapstick, etc.
The airline personnel doesn't usually count it as a third bag when boarding, but if they do, it's small enough to easily slip into my backpack.
So many walk about with the phone in front of their face, and also with headphones on. It's like a "Hit me and steal my stuff" ad.
The key from RS is to
1) put valuables in secure moneybelts/crossbody bags
2) stay in the moment and don't be distracted by the phone
3) don't advertise your tourist status by holding maps etc - of course, wife and I do this all the time
Be here now as a tourist.
I was a bit paranoid about visiting Rome--finally bought a Travelon anti-theft purse, and got a ring attachment for the back of my phone that allows me to slip it over a finger and I really like it, my phone feels more secure in my hand if I am using it anywhere in public. That said, I was cautious about using it in crowded areas, generally made sure of who was around me and took photos quickly, kept it securely in my purse when out and about.
My crossbody bag has several compartments with zippers. I attached a lanyard to my phone (got one with a soft ribbon-like strap from Amazon) and wore it crossbody at the same time. When not in use, I'd drop the phone into it's own zippered area so that it wasn't in the way and didn't swing around; I didn't put anything else in that compartment so I could leave the zipper undone if I wanted to. Very convenient to pull it out to take pics or whatever. And very secure.
I follow these strategies always to protect my phone.
1. I wear cargos they are comfortable and with lots of pockets with some extra button and zippers. No need to carry a extra bag.
2. I always have a air tag with me connected with my device so that I can find it easily.
natasha, how do you attach your AirTag to your phone?
I am near the end of a 5-week trip in Italy and I highly recommend this item that I bought just before we left. Not only does it keep someone from taking your phone if clipped to a purse or belt loop, it also keeps the phone from hitting the ground/water/rocks/etc if it's accidently dropped. You can charge your phone with it installed, too.
. I always have a air tag with me connected with my device so that I can find it easily.
I had a Pixel 6 before it was stolen a week ago in Paris in broad daylight. Is there an AirTag for non Apple devices?
I had a Pixel 6 before it was stolen a week ago in Paris in broad daylight. Is there an AirTag for non Apple devices?
Tile works with all phones
Is there an AirTag for non Apple devices?
There are many devices for Apple or non-Apple products, sold by many companies. Some of them are better (and less expensive) that Apple-branded AirTags. Google “AirTags alternatives” (or search Amazon) and see a wide variety of choices. I have the “PebbleBee” devices and they’re great (way better than Apple’s original).
That said, the only reliable way to keep your phone (or other stuff) from being stolen is to keep your head in the game. Without that, any gizmo or so-called anti-theft device is mostly just a false-sense of security and thirty bucks down the drain. If your head is in the clouds, no chain or strap or attack dog is going to defeat a thief. If you’re keenly aware of your surroundings at all times (admittedly, something that many people may not be willing/able to do), you can walk any street waving your golden phone around and not lose it.
This "ring attachment" - it's a ring with a cord for the phone? So when a guy on a motorbike snatches your phone, he will pull on your finger? Is this a good idea?
I always wonder, what value does someone else's cell phone have? It's probably locked and will be shut down as soon as someone sees it's gone. Do they melt it down and make jewelry?
@phred -- "experts" aka thieves can jailbreak into a stolen locked iphone, unlock it and sell it on the black market.
Paul--it's a loosely fitting ring attached to the back of the phone case--I can almost get two fingers in it--no cord to it. It folds flat. If someone were to grab my phone it would not drag me along. I do not have my phone out of my purse unless it's needed, and mostly I like that I am less likely to drop it.
