There are many reasons why children should or shouldn't have phones. Since phones were created so recently we are still trying to figure out the best way to introduce them to young minds. There have been many studies conducted and most of them say you should wait till your child is 12-14 years old or they should be in at least the eighth grade. Now, 42% of children get a phone before the age of 10 and as much as 91% have a phone by the young age of fourteen. Should we be buying children phones this early?
First of all, many parents like that their children have phones because they are able to be in constant contact. This makes many parents feel more secure when their kids leave home. Phones are also great to have because of safety reasons. They could call 911 or anybody that can help them with just a couple clicks of a button. Another reason it's good for children to have phones is because it gives them a sense of independence and maturity. This gives them responsiblity and helps them learn how to take care of things at an earlier age.
There are also many down sides to having phones at a young age. Screen addictions can start especially at a young age. Overuse of phones at such a young age can have poor mental and physical health effects. There is also problems with parents being able to control what their children are playing or watching. With this, cyberbullying can accure no matter how much you try as a parent to stop it.
Personally, I believe that kids should have phones. But only when they are old enough for parents to trust them or they need it because they have extracurricular activities, like sports. I feel like a good time to get a phone would be the seventh grade when many people start school sports or other activities. Otherwise I would say get a phone at the age of 12. Parents should implement their own rules based on what they see fit. For example, I got my first phone when I was in seventh grade. I had screen time and could only have certain apps until I proved to my parents they could trust me. I feel this is what most parents should do in order to help control the amount of phone usage for their child.
What age did you get a phone?
What age do you think children should get a phone?
Why do you think that's a good age?
Source 1: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-your-child-ready-for-a-smartphone-or-not
Source 2 : https://www.forbes.com/health/family/best-age-for-first-cell-phone/#:~:text=Recent%20survey%20data%20suggests%2042,placed%20in%20a%20child's%20pocket.
Source 3 : https://troomi.com/pros-and-cons-of-young-kids-having-cell-phones/
Replies
Great topic choice and very well done Suzy!
I got a phone when I was 13 years old for sports. I think that 13 is a good age to get a first phone because it is old enough for the child to have enough responsibility to use it correctly. I also think that younger kids are too immature to have a phone because they could become more attatched to it and would not do anything else.
I was 10 when I got my first actual phone however, before that I had a tablet when I was little and then a gizmo watch and an iPod. I think children should be roughly the age I was to get a phone. I think young children can have a tablet when their little or an iPod once they are older, but I think they should have time limits.
I believe that if you have a gizmo before you have your first phone, you don't need to get a phone as fast. This is because gizmos help with communication with parents and it helps with safety. That way their isn't social media the parents have to worry about.
I got my first phone about when I was in 5th grade. I Think that children should get their first phone right around the beginning of middle school. I think it's a good age because kids might be more involved in activities and they are becoming a little more reliable.
I agree that getting your first phone around the start of middle school is the best time. Especially with sports, phones can be essential in communication. I feel that having a ohone at this age is good for safety.
I got my phone when I was 10 years old. I think that children should get their phone in middle school because before then they don't need it. I think that middle school is a good age because that's when most kids get more active and do sports.
I got my first phone when I was in 5th grade. I think it really depends on how mature the kid is and if it is necessary for them to have one. I think if they need it and are mature enough then to give them one.
I agree that it can really depend on the child and how responsible and neccesary it is for them to have one. Children grow up and mature in so many different ways, so the parents have a huge judgement call to make when it comes to phones.
I think that it is fine if young kids have phones however I think that they should be limited so the kids can get outside and enjoy life. I think that kids screen time should be limited until they are 13 then they should be able to chose how long they want to be on their phones.
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