At what age do you think it is appropriate to give children an iPhone? Or for that matter, ANY sort of smart phone device?
I would like to take a step back from taking about current events and question what we, as Americans value. The other day I was at dinner with my family, me and my father engaging in an insightful conversation, but my little brother on his phone watching sports the entire time. Only when the food arrived did he want to start talking to us. Is this the point that we have reached? No more talkative or engaging family meals? Growing up, I always had a rule: no phones at the dinner table. Now more than ever I believe this rule does not apply to younger generations. Even if it did apply, I am not too sure they could do it. For example, when my dad does not allow my brother to have this phone, he throws a fit. Once again, is this the point we have come to?
What is the right age for parents to give their kids a cell phone? Is there an age that is“too late?” There are different angels at which you could approach this question. There is undoubtedly a safety standpoint. Wanting to give your child a phone to call or text when he or she is somewhere without you or when they need your help. Another standpoint it something I call peer pressure. Giving your child a phone because “everyone has one” is a persuasion technique that is used today, I think, more than ever before. As technology progresses, children begin to receive the benefits and disadvantages of technology it at a younger and younger age.
When you hand over that powerful communication box, you are giving your child responsibility. Not just the responsibly of not losing it, but the responsibility of correctly “instagraming, snapchatting, or tweeting.” It is crazy to think about— the days of giving your child a phone for solely calling is now over! This is why I propose to give children a phone, specifically a smart device, around the age of 13. Middle school is the best age to get a child a phone because it is a growing stage in a child’s life, and in 2018, having a phone is socially extremely important and somewhat, necessary to be “cool.”
Giving a child a phone too early on may cause them to be more addictive at an older age. But giving a child a phone too late, may deprive them of social opportunities. Therefore, there needs to be a balance. Not talking at the dinner table in order to engage in social media or other entertainment applications is simply unacceptable to me, these technologies are taking away from my family. Finding a balance is hard but I think parents should set guidelines for their kids. By no means am I trying to tell parents how to in fact parent, but we as a whole country, need to figure out a way for these technologies to stop stealing precious time away from us.
Source: Cohen, Danielle. “When Should You Get Your Kid a Phone?” Child Mind Institute.