Being constantly worried about your child’s health and safety to ensure they are independent enough to care for themselves, parenting is not an easy journey. Besides, due to cutting-edge technologies, setting healthy boundaries for smartphone usage is vital to patenting. That’s why, like most parents, if you are concerned about when to give your child a smartphone, read this article thoroughly.
Giving your child an experience with a smartphone is a big step. If the child has a thoughtful and supportive parent by their side, it ultimately increases their smartphone success. Today, the question is not whether you should give your kid a smartphone but when to give it.
This article discusses everything about which is the appropriate age to give a smartphone to your kid.
Before diving deep into when you should give a smartphone to your kid, let us first discuss what benefits and drawbacks you can expect from kids having a smartphone.
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Benefits Of Kids Having A Smartphone
Having a smartphone not only gives convenience to kids, but it also has multiple benefits. Let us check it out one by one.
- Giving smartphones to your kids provides them with educational support. They can download various tools from the app store or use built-in tools for study persons. Besides, they can even access online tutorials, videos, graphics, and more to succeed in their studies.
- It helps them improve their social skills as they can quickly contact friends and family.
- Giving your child expensive possessions like a laptop or mobile can teach them to be responsible and take better care of their belongings.
- Smartphones can give parents peace of mind. You can easily track your kid’s whereabouts. You can even send them a quick text message or call them when they are away from home to make sure they are safe.
- Giving smartphones to your kid can make them tech-savvy as they can explore new features and technologies. It will boost their confidence.
Drawback Of Kids Having A Smartphone
No doubt, giving smartphones to kids can offer them many benefits. However, there are various drawbacks to it, too. Many children stumbled upon the age-inappropriate content.
Besides, your child might get addicted to a smartphone and be unable to put it down when it is time to study or do other activities.
Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of giving a smartphone to your kids, let’s move to the next section that discusses signs of readiness to give a smartphone to your kid.
If you want to assess your child’s readiness to possess an expensive device like a smartphone, ask yourself the following questions. Look for these signs and then decide when to give a smartphone to your kid.
Let us first discuss which signs show your child is not ready for a phone.
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Signs Your Child Is Not Ready For A Phone
- If your child is emotionally not stable, then don’t give them a smartphone.
- Is your child capable enough to handle minor conflicts? If the answer to this question is NO, it shows your child is not ready for a phone.
- Is your child capable of managing things without being impulsive?
- Are they accountable for their actions? If not, giving them a smartphone is not a good idea.
Signs Your Child Is Ready For A Phone
Before giving a smartphone to your kid, you must analyse your kid’s independent milestones. Ask yourself the following questions; they will help you be more responsible.
- Is your child obeying screen-time limits decided by you? Do they handle the current technology properly?
- Are they fulfilling their responsibilities well?
- Do they come to you when they are in trouble or make mistakes?
- Do they agree with the rules when and how to use the smartphone?
If the answer to these questions is YES, your child is ready for a phone.
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Do This Before Buying A Phone
So, finally, you have decided that your child is ready for a smartphone. However, this is only the first step. Before you buy them a smartphone, you should be mentally prepared for what comes next. It incorporates giving your child ongoing education regarding smartphone usage.
- You both need to establish some ground rules for screen-free times.
- Before giving them a smartphone, you must set up parental controls and install some required apps.
- It would be best to discuss what they can see online with them.
- You should teach them about safety and etiquette.
- Before giving them a phone, prepare a written agreement.
Also read: Things to Do Before Selling Your Smartphone
Discuss And Ask These Things With Your Child Before Getting Them Phone
- Nowadays, children want a smartphone because their friends have a phone. There is nothing wrong with it. It is natural to feel this way. However, you must make them aware of the problems arising from smartphones. They can easily distracted or have to face social drama in their lives. So, you should prepare them well in advance. Before giving them a phone, ask yourself – does my child know the correct way to use the phone?
- Think about the unique strengths and weaknesses that can make having a smartphone difficult for your child. Does your child need your help while deciding anything? Do you trust their judgement? Is your child responsible enough to think before acting?
- Is your child aware of the other ways to connect with friends? If you feel your child is not ready for a phone, introduce them to other ways to build their community, like sports or clubs.
- Do have a regular checkup with your kids regarding what is going on in their lives, incorporating their digital lives. Keep them informed about social media trends and how to keep themselves safe.
Follow This Advice For Early Smartphone Usage
Once you are sure that your kid is ready to use the smartphone, ensure that you follow these things.
- Educate your kids about the disadvantages of having a smartphone.
- Opt for kids’ wireless plans
- Give them knowledge about how to practice internet safety.
- Set limits on screen time and phone usage.
- Decide how much money is available to cover the data plan or other expenses.
- You must know the password of your child’s phone and have a right to take it away.
- If your child is using social media, monitor them regularly and make them aware of online fraud, and you are constantly monitoring them.
Also read: Smartphone Buying Guide: Things To Know Before Buying A New Smartphone
The Bottom Line – when to give your child a smartphone
In summary, you must understand there is no right or wrong age to give your child a smartphone. Every child is unique, and their maturity level also varies. Therefore, the right age is when, as a parent, you feel your child is ready. It can be in grade 10 or after college completion.
Suppose you feel your child is mature and responsible enough to handle the study, social responsibilities, and extracurricular activities without the smartphone in that case, it is okay not to give them a smartphone. So, follow your instincts and act accordingly.
Also read: How Much Is Your Smartphone Really Costing You?
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