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 ...
F. J. Brandon sez “Not until your 30.”
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.
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.
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
“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.
The day a child gets a smartphone is the day he or she starts being tracked. There are advantages to using pseudonyms online.
Because their parents are stupid enough to give them smartphones without making them earn it themselves.
Absolutely true. What people are saying is stop the madness who’s in charge.
And here’s another view:
“ Because their parents are stupid enough to give them smartphones…”
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.
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.
Bingo!
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.
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.
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.
Sadly, you may have to consider the demographics of some schools. A kid can get beat up for a phone.
“Mom is 98 . . .”
May she live a long and healthy life (with or without a smartphone)!
Write letters instead. They are better on so many levels.
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