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 ...
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
Much to my surprise, he really doesn't spend that much time on it and often forgets it when he leaves the house.
I gave mine devices that could call mom and dad only. It was shaky at first but it worked.
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.
Oh, around 105 years old!!! By that time, you’ll be dead and wont have to deal with these communist willies hanging scum bags.
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.
I was 56.
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!
Off they would go.
“. 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.
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.
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.
I should add that I have boys. Twins. I am sure it’s quite a bit different with girls.
“ 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
“ 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.
Do they make one that’s not a smart phone?
When they get a real job and they can pay for everything themselves.
Anything else is a big mistake.
You are so old
Yup, me too. It was glorious.
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.
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