Phones for children ?

Question

Hello all. Do you believe in giving your kids smartphones? At what age do you think is okay for a child to own a smartphone? How would you ensure that your child is safe while using the phone? Please help a mum like myself who is debating giving their child a phone. I have a daughter and I’m concerned about grooming on the internet

Answer

Flip phone or a phone that has no internet access until grade 8.
Then a smart phone for high school.
There are adults they can ask to borrow phones if it’s an emergency.
Absolutely no reason for a child to have a smart phone.

Answer

My daughter is 12 and has a phone. Got it for her to have a phone when I run to get hubby from work which is literally 5 minute drive and her father and I are separated so she brings it to her dads on weekends to text me if want. I have kid limits set on her phone. She can only have kid version of YouTube. Has to have my approval for any games before they download i get a text message saying g yes or no on download, internet is on restrictions too on what sites work and don't work. She gets in trouble or acts up and she gets grounded from it and she only allowed on it for games a certain amount of time a day. There also is no passwords, no one on her contacts I or her father don't know and she isnt allowed a social media account.

Answer

For that purpose I would just buy a flip phone or any old school cell. I think smart phones are not necessary for kids at all.

Answer

I didn’t get a phone until 8th grade and the ONLY reason I got it was because I was going to New York City on a school trip (from NC). I don’t intend on giving my child a phone until late middle school/high school.

Answer

No smart phone until over the age of 10, after that I'd make sure to monitor usage and parental controls.

Answer

My daughter got one at 10. There were a bunch of reasons and I was torn for a while. She is super independent and bounces around between friends houses, some parents let them go to the beach alone or for walks, I want my daughter to be able to reach me. Her and her friends will spend like two days at one house then two days at another etc so I like being able to talk to her whenever. My daughter is huge into library programs and the programs at the school. If they end early or whatever its nice for her to be able to reach out fast. Shes also home alone after school for about an hour while I'm getting her brother, we dont have a landline, although we live in a safe area it still makes me feel better. She likes to ride her bike to the boat ramp up the road from my house, if she fell I know I can go get her.  My daughter also takes two trips alone with my mom (across the US) if something happened to my mom my daughter could reach us, shes also starting to travel with her friends on vacation.  I have quite a few more reasons but I'll end it there. She is super responsible and we treat it the same as we did her phone that didnt have service. When we are home we are a family and do things together. There is designated time during the day (when I'm getting her brother down for a nap) that she is free to use it and also for an hour and a half before bed. To keep the phone privilege she has to be an active member of the household and keep up with her responsibilities.  If she wants to cop an attitude with me she loses it. If she loses it somewhere shes not getting a new one, she understands it is a huge privilege to have and not a toy. Weigh out all the pros and cons and see where you end up

Answer

Our kids are almost 11 and 8.
We will not be getting them phones anytime soon.
I would if my husband and I were separated and my kids spent long periods away from me. 
I plan on letting them hold onto childhood as long as possible before putting phones in their hands.
If I run and errand and leave them home alone, I just leave my cell with them in case of emergencies.
I don’t like the idea of my kids being at stuck to phones all day long.

Answer

When my child is old enough to go over to a friend's house without me staying.   So possibly six.   It won't be to play on; it will be so that she can call if she feels uncomfortable.    There are apps that can tell you sites and apps your child is visiting; we'll be investing in one when the time comes.

Answer

I started at 12 because we have no home phone and he was old enough to be home alone if I went to a nearby store or gas station, and it’s also when he started riding a bus to and from school and I make him check in with me regarding transportation. He’s now thirteen and not on social media or anything. Calls or texts a few close friends in it is all and he knows I read his texts and track internet history.

Answer

I think at 11-12 a phone is a good idea but definitely wouldn’t give them a smart phone until 14ish when they start high school.  Having internet access is important for young teens but I’d limit it to only when they are home. Maybe consider a tablet or laptop.

Phones for children ?

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