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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: 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?

I'd strongly recommend not letting kids have smartphones at all. Buy them a simple flip phone capable of voice and SMS for communications and emergencies. None of the guys who wrote the IOS and Android operating systems and the first apps to run on them ever grew up with smartphones and they all somehow managed.

Today's kids are probably the most neurotic in history, and the toxic influences of social media apps and social gaming are why. They don't need to play Roblox, they don't need to see Mr. Beast videos, they don't need to watch the idiots of TikTok. Get them a flip phone for emergencies and tell them to go outside and play.
61 posted on 09/25/2022 6:06:15 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: thecodont

F. J. Brandon sez “Not until your 30.”


62 posted on 09/25/2022 6:07:34 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“I used to be nothing but a Deplorable Clinger, but I've been promoted to Brigadier Ultra-MAGA”)
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To: BitWielder1
If before 18 or able to pay for it themselves, make them earn the privilege to have one, and make it clear that if they misbehave, it will be taken away.

The only way to go, IMHO. At least they will be motivated to look for a job, if they get the privilege of buying a smartphone. Because they are responsible for their payments, they have to keep the job. Every parent should be doing this even if the family is well-off.

63 posted on 09/25/2022 6:08:36 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: thecodont

Fortunately our children were adults away from home when the cell phone fever hit.

Our two fifty year old sons have company phones and private phones.

Their kids get smartphones that allow the parents to know where they are and what they texting and sending. If they don’t like those rules, they can buy their own phones and service.

One of our Adult DILs refused $300 if she let her phone be locked in a safe at our home from Dinner to after breakfast.
the next day basically 10-12 hours.

$5 locked up the smart phones for our 20 something age grandkids.


64 posted on 09/25/2022 6:08:48 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (Anyone, who can make you believe in absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.!" ~ (Voltaire)!, )
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To: Bullish

Kids are kids. Some more mature that others. Some more introverted than others.

Some can handle it some can’t. Like booze and cigs and a summer job

Kids ther
Se days are like any kids Therese days from other generations but with different stresses.

They are in a developmental stage learning to interact they need face to face. The other thing is the weird crap they find on the internet

No

And boys are going to find porn which is irreparably harmful and screws up future relationships


65 posted on 09/25/2022 6:09:13 PM PDT by stanne
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To: thecodont

“What’s the right age to get a smartphone?’

18, IF they can pay for it.

otherwise...

25, when they have to get off the parent’s healthcare plan.


66 posted on 09/25/2022 6:09:30 PM PDT by Redcitizen
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To: thecodont
I wonder what Freepers think about kids using their real names on the internet.

The day a child gets a smartphone is the day he or she starts being tracked. There are advantages to using pseudonyms online.

67 posted on 09/25/2022 6:09:44 PM PDT by TChad ("Joe, we should evacuate the civilians before the military. You understand that, right? Joe?")
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To: AnotherUnixGeek
Today's kids are probably the most neurotic in history, and the toxic influences of social media apps and social gaming are why. They don't need to play Roblox, they don't need to see Mr. Beast videos, they don't need to watch the idiots of TikTok. Get them a flip phone for emergencies and tell them to go outside and play.

Because their parents are stupid enough to give them smartphones without making them earn it themselves.

68 posted on 09/25/2022 6:10:06 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: irishjuggler

Absolutely true. What people are saying is stop the madness who’s in charge.


69 posted on 09/25/2022 6:11:40 PM PDT by stanne
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To: Bullish
The 1955 Chevrolet Nomad runs anywhere from $75000, and upwards of $150,000. The price is reflective of their physical conditions, as well as any potential modifications that could've been done prior.


70 posted on 09/25/2022 6:16:27 PM PDT by deport
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To: irishjuggler

And here’s another view:

“ Because their parents are stupid enough to give them smartphones…”


71 posted on 09/25/2022 6:17:24 PM PDT by stanne
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To: SamAdams76

My friends and I did the same. Out the door at 8am and home in time for supper. And if there was daylight left, we’d play some more till twilight ended. Maybe an hour later on the weekends. What a great time it was to be a kid/teen in America.


72 posted on 09/25/2022 6:17:27 PM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: SamAdams76

In the 70’s if I did something stupid 3 blocks away, by the time I pedaled back home my mom knew about it!

We were outside nonstop! Climbing trees was our past time.

We were raised by our parents and our neighbors.

Today kids are raised by social media. That ain’t good.


73 posted on 09/25/2022 6:17:41 PM PDT by lizma2
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To: BradyLS

Bingo!


74 posted on 09/25/2022 6:18:21 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Josef Bidenov is out to take out your children. Keep them protected from Bidenov goons.)
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To: thecodont

18 and ONLY if they pay for it themselves. Since there are no payphone anymore then a phone at a younger age is appropriate BUIT only one that can call or text.


75 posted on 09/25/2022 6:19:12 PM PDT by DouglasKC
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To: stanne
Never used the Brooklyn because we do not live in NYC. :)

The kids have flips that can be used to call or text a selected few numbers. Us, grandparents, a couple of friends, their boss (for the one that has a job) and a couple of back up adults if we are for some reason not available.

They seem to be surviving. Small private school and most of the parents have done the same. We do not find social media a healthy place. You are a kid, having everything you post be critiqued by some bored adult who has no idea who or what you are is not good mentally or emotionally.

And when you add in the predators not to mention the popular media stuff just better not to let them wander out there.

Even the kids who have smart phones tend to put them down once in a while.

76 posted on 09/25/2022 6:20:40 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (The nation of france was named after a hedgehog... The hedgehog's name was Kevin... Don't ask)
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To: Beowulf9

Try Tracfone.

We have used them for a decade, and their phone prices and monthly service fees are excellent.

You can do everything by computer or land phone.


77 posted on 09/25/2022 6:20:45 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (Anyone, who can make you believe in absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.!" ~ (Voltaire)!, )
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To: stanne; All

Sadly, you may have to consider the demographics of some schools. A kid can get beat up for a phone.


78 posted on 09/25/2022 6:23:03 PM PDT by gundog ( It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
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To: MayflowerMadam

“Mom is 98 . . .”

May she live a long and healthy life (with or without a smartphone)!


79 posted on 09/25/2022 6:23:41 PM PDT by Jyotishi (Seeking the truth, a fact at a time.)
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To: thecodont

Write letters instead. They are better on so many levels.


80 posted on 09/25/2022 6:23:52 PM PDT by ought-six (Multiculturalism is national suicide, and political correctness is the cyanide capsule. )
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