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What's the right age to get a smartphone?
BBC.com ^ | 14th September 2022 | By Kelly Oakes

Posted on 09/25/2022 5:23:02 PM PDT by thecodont

It is a very modern dilemma. Should you hand your child a smartphone, or keep them away from the devices as long as possible?

As a parent, you'd be forgiven for thinking of a smartphone as a sort of Pandora's box with the ability to unleash all the world's evils on your child's wholesome life. The bewildering array of headlines relating to the possible impact of children's phone and social media use are enough to make anyone want to opt out. Apparently, even celebrities are not immune to this modern parenting problem: Madonna has said that she regretted giving her older children phones at age 13, and wouldn't do it again.

On the other hand, you probably have a phone yourself that you consider an essential tool for daily life – from emails and online shopping, to video calls and family photo albums. And if your child's classmates and friends are all getting phones, won't they miss out without one?

There are still many unanswered questions on the long-term effects of smartphones and social media on children and teenagers, but existing research provides some evidence on their main risks and benefits.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: 200amonth; 2022; braincancer; cellphone; family; flipphone; landline; oldpeople; smartphone; socialmedia
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To: Beowulf9

They have gone way down in price. Check out TracFone. Buy the phone from HSN, QVC or eBay and it comes with minutes. I’m paying less than $100 for the whole year. See the site below for more info.

https://tracfonereviewer.blogspot.com/?m=1


21 posted on 09/25/2022 5:41:18 PM PDT by conservative98
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To: thecodont
I got my son an iPhone for his 12th birthday. He's a good kid and a straight-A student. Plus, it's convenient to me for him to have a phone.

Much to my surprise, he really doesn't spend that much time on it and often forgets it when he leaves the house.

22 posted on 09/25/2022 5:41:33 PM PDT by Drew68 (Ron DeSantis for President 2024)
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To: freedumb2003

I gave mine devices that could call mom and dad only. It was shaky at first but it worked.


23 posted on 09/25/2022 5:41:43 PM PDT by stanne
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To: Beowulf9

Tracfone has pay as you go basic plans for 90 days at $20. Smartphone with quite adequate casual use internet data at $35 for 60 days.


24 posted on 09/25/2022 5:42:28 PM PDT by jjotto ( Blessed are You LORD, who crushes enemies and subdues the wicked.)
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To: thecodont

Oh, around 105 years old!!! By that time, you’ll be dead and wont have to deal with these communist willies hanging scum bags.


25 posted on 09/25/2022 5:43:45 PM PDT by RetiredArmy (Free Will. GOD gives you the choice I accept or reject Him! Choose Him. It depends on you.)
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To: thecodont

When they start going to school. Not much choice. There are no payphones. Anymore. Besides, the smart phone gives us tracking data on where our kids are. And it is easy enough to lock some functionality down, they have to turn the phones off at school anyway.


26 posted on 09/25/2022 5:44:15 PM PDT by Reno89519 (FJB. Respect America, Embrace America, Buy American, Hire American.)
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To: thecodont

I was 56.


27 posted on 09/25/2022 5:44:32 PM PDT by PLMerite ("They say that we were Cold Warriors. Yes, and a bloody good show, too." - Robert Conquest )
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To: BradyLS
Best answer on the thread.

When I was growing up in the 1970s, I am so glad I was never tethered to a smartphone like the children of today are.

It's hard for children of today to imagine but when I went outside to "play", I would be gone for hours, sometimes the entire day, on my Huffy bike, and my parents would never know who I saw, what I did and where I was. Unless I wanted to tell them.

Freedom!


28 posted on 09/25/2022 5:44:34 PM PDT by SamAdams76 (4,112,487 users on Truth Social)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

Off they would go.


29 posted on 09/25/2022 5:45:39 PM PDT by FreeperCell
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear

“. And if your child’s classmates and friends are all getting phones, won’t they miss out without one?”

‘And if all their friends were taking a flying leap off a bridge.... ‘

I don’t know what happened to that phrase we hated

‘If he told you to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge…”

I will say, Catholic high school was a reprieve. Parents there don’t have as much waste dough as they do in public school. All social fashion and trend pressure is greatly eased.


30 posted on 09/25/2022 5:45:49 PM PDT by stanne
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To: thecodont

We gave our daughter her own phone when she was 10. She’s always been smart and responsible.

Nothing magic happens when they turn 18 except that they’re emancipated adults.

Why would you buy an emancipated adult their own phone?

The only thing you should buy your 18 year old child is luggage.


31 posted on 09/25/2022 5:45:56 PM PDT by KingLudd
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To: thecodont

My kids initially got hand-me-down phones. Limited functionality. And we moved up from there. But I cannot imagine a kid not having a phone today.They are now in ninth grade, and finally starting to use them a bit. They have had them since about second grade.


32 posted on 09/25/2022 5:46:39 PM PDT by Reno89519 (FJB. Respect America, Embrace America, Buy American, Hire American.)
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To: thecodont

I should add that I have boys. Twins. I am sure it’s quite a bit different with girls.


33 posted on 09/25/2022 5:47:14 PM PDT by Reno89519 (FJB. Respect America, Embrace America, Buy American, Hire American.)
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To: CharlesOConnell

“ Students rank those without phones…”

In public school, yes. Not in Catholic school where parents pay out of pocket for education and don’t have a lot of extra cash. It’s a haven


34 posted on 09/25/2022 5:47:51 PM PDT by stanne
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To: MayflowerMadam

“ If under 16, give them flip phones with the ability to only connect with family and 911 - for emergencies. Block internet.”

Been there. Got the t shirt. It works. Like a charm.


35 posted on 09/25/2022 5:48:39 PM PDT by stanne
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To: thecodont

Do they make one that’s not a smart phone?


36 posted on 09/25/2022 5:49:15 PM PDT by stuck_in_new_orleans
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To: thecodont

When they get a real job and they can pay for everything themselves.
Anything else is a big mistake.


37 posted on 09/25/2022 5:49:44 PM PDT by Bullish (Rot'sa Ruck America. )
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To: Beowulf9

You are so old


38 posted on 09/25/2022 5:49:59 PM PDT by stuck_in_new_orleans
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To: SamAdams76

Yup, me too. It was glorious.


39 posted on 09/25/2022 5:50:41 PM PDT by Bullish (Rot'sa Ruck America. )
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To: thecodont

A smart phone is a porn conduit.

I would not let a minor kid have one. Nope.

If absolutely necessary I’d have the password, check the phone daily, and tell them I’m checking it daily.


40 posted on 09/25/2022 5:52:00 PM PDT by Persevero (You cannot comply your way out of tyranny. )
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