Toddler touching father’s cell phone
The iPhones 6 are finally out, and I’ve got to admit: they are pretty looking phones. Nice enough to sway anyone’s resolve. So naturally, you’ve got to be prepared for your kids to nag you for the next couple of weeks. Give you the puppy eyes. Tell you how Joe’s dad already bought him the iPhone 6 Plus, or how Cathy bought it the second it was launched. You might consider giving in and buying them the damn thing if your kid is 18. But what if your kid is 12?
The question sounds silly doesn’t it when we already see 10 year olds with smartphones in their hands. Or toddlers tapping away on their parent’s tablets. But have we ever properly come to a conclusion? When should you buy your kids their own smartphones?
What’s the Debate?
Honestly, people have been discussing when it is the right time for kids to have phone ever since phones were made. And we’re still divided. On the one hand, giving children phones gives you a way of being in touch with them. On the other, it gives them a chance to be in touch with things they’re not supposed to be. This camp wants them banned for children altogether.
The Issues to Consider
Because smartphones have everything, don’t they. They have internet, so they could be browsing anything in the world on their little, personal, handheld screen, and you wouldn’t even know. They have social media apps, so they could be talking to anyone on the planet. And they have storage spaces, so they can put books, movies, videos, music that might not be appropriate for them. If you were only considering the incoming/outgoing calls and texts aspect of a phone, this has probably made your decision a lot trickier, hasn’t it?
Avast pretty much sums up the concerns/issues…
What’s the Verdict?
No one knows your child as well as you do. You’ll know when they’re responsible enough. You’ll know when they’re mature enough. This is why you should wait until your kids are in middle school before you consider buying them a phone.
Here’s why. Before middle school, kids are probably too young to have an active social life, so they spend more time at home than they do out. It is in the early teen years that they start going out more. At football practice after school, out with friends and all the jazz. So you’ll need to stay in touch with them to make sure they’re safe.
Monitor their Smartphone Content
Now that you’ve roughly defined an age limit, you should know that your child is still too young to know what’s harmful to them. So you’ll need to keep an eye on the content on their phones. Find a way to keep an eye on their text messages. Go through their media files from time to time. See what they browse through on the internet. And if you see something harmful or inappropriate, have a conversation with them.
So when you finally decide to buy them that iPhone, you should realize that the usage will require some regulation. Just so you know they don’t abuse their privileges. And that will be a constant responsibility, so good luck, mate.
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