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If you have a child who so much as just knows what a smartphone is, chances are, they’ve been asking you to get them one. But while phones can be great for checking in on your kids and making sure they stay safe, they also can come with potential pitfalls.
For one thing, phones can be distracting. If you have a child who is old enough to drive, worrying about texting and driving is completely normal. If your child is younger, giving them a phone might take away from their focus on other things like homework, extracurricular activities, or even time with family and friends.
Hence, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of modern technology when it comes to your family life. Much of it will have to do with your child’s responsibility and maturity level.
However, there are certain other things you should keep in mind when you’re trying to decide the right time to get your child a phone of their own. Consider some of the following things I have listed below:
The Financial Investment
Even “inexpensive” cell phones can cost hundreds of dollars, and they don’t always have the features your child might want. For example, the most recent model of the iPhone costs $100.00+. And though it has all of the bells and whistles you could imagine, it’s quite an investment for a child.
Again, this is where your child’s sense of responsibility comes in. You’ll have to decide if it’s worth the investment not only to buy a phone that could get lost or broken but all of the expenses that could come with it.
That may include:
Phone insurance
Data plans (or overages)
Accessories
Apps
Speaking of data overages, that’s another important factor that should come into play when you ponder this investment. Most plans offer unlimited data, but they are often expensive. If you choose another plan and your child is always on their phone, you could be surprised with data overage charges and see a hefty increase in your bill each month.
The Risk of Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying has become a bit of a buzzword in recent years, but it’s very real and very dangerous. When you allow your child to be more “connected” through popular apps like Snapchat, Instagram, or Tik Tok, you’re also letting them open themselves up to potential bullies.
Whether it’s other kids from school or strangers online, your child could fall victim to name-calling or being made fun of from a device that fits in the palm of their hand.
On the other end of the spectrum, your child could be the one who uses their phone inappropriately, crossing the line when it comes to posting hurtful or even sexually explicit things. It’s normal for kids to be curious and to try pushing the limits when it comes to life online, but that can lead them down a dangerous path.
Important Questions to Ask Yourself
The truth is, there isn’t one ideal age for a child to get a phone. Some kids are more mature at 10 years old than others are at age 12 and some are not ready until their late teen years. How, then, can you ask yourself the right questions to make your decision a bit easier?
Think about the following things:
Does your child frequently lose or break things?
Do they handle money well and know the value of saving?
Can they pick up on social cues easily?
Are they tech-savvy?
Can they control/limit their own screen time?
Are they willing to oblige by the limits that you put around their phone usage?
Carefully consider the answers to these questions when you’re thinking about getting your child a phone. If most of the answers reflect positively on your child, they could be ready for the extra responsibility. However, I would encourage you to have a plan for how they can use it responsibly and parental controls for protection. And if not, they may need to mature some more.
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If you’re still not sure when to introduce this type of technology into your kids’ lives, feel free to contact me for additional insight or information. We can talk about some more questions you can ask yourself before deciding if a cell phone is the right move for your child at their current age.
