As smartphones become more ingrained in daily life, the decision to give your child their first mobile phone becomes a considerable debate -table milestone moment of parenting.
To help parents by navigating the debate, the experts weigh when the right time is to have your children have mobile phones.
Although mobile phones offer convenience, safety and learning opportunities, they also bring out a large number of challenges, such as digital addiction, cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content, maturity levels and the possibility of managing the responsibility of the device.
“It’s not a specific era, but about the child’s willingness and how well they can take on the challenges associated with owning a phone,” said Dr. Jenny Radesky, a development doctor at the University of Michigan, in an earlier interview.
She continued: “As children grow, they develop skills for managing boundaries and understanding digital spaces, which are essential for safe telephone use.”
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents must assess the maturity of their child and the specific needs they have for a phone. However, the monkey also warns that mobile phones can influence the well -being of children if they are not used properly.
“Although technology can be a tool for learning, it is essential to consider the mental and emotional health of children using phones,” Dr. Radesky on.
Statistics of the Pew Research Center reveal a growing concern among parents about the timing of telephone ownership. A 2022 study showed that 45% of teenagers feel addicted to their devices, while 70% of the parents are worried about the screen time of their child (Pew Research Center, 2022). This reinforces the need for parents to make informed decisions and to establish healthy habits early with regard to when they will give their children their own mobile phones.
A growing trend to relieve children to an owner of mobile phones is the “starting phone” – a device that makes basic communication possible, but the limited internet access and app downloads.
“Start telephones can help children get used to the responsibility to own a device without distraction and dangers that are supplied with full internet access,” said cyber expert Dr. Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. Startphones offer a balance between safety and the reality of digital life.
Nick Cannon gave his twin mobile phones at the age of 10. In a recent interview with FeminineAlicia Dixon said she refused to have her children between the ages of 11 and five, mobile phones.
Ultimately, the right time to give a child a mobile phone will vary per family and it is up to the parent to assess and to ensure that their child is ready to be a responsible owner of mobile phones.
