When does your kid(s) get a smart phone?

[kenny]

I won't ask about just cellphones anymore since even few adults get those any more, and kids are WAY more cool than adults.
I assume any kid with just a regular cellphone would be killed, roasted and eaten on the playground.

If your kid actually DID get a phone with no Internet connection the question remains, "When does your kid(s) get a smart phone?"

 

[Dancing Fire]

23 and 24

 

[packrat]

I just got a cellphone 2 years ago, just got texting 2 weeks ago, and my phone is not a smart phone. So it will be a while before London gets one. And when she does, it will be when she's able to pay for it herself.

 

[chrono]

When he or she needs it for valid reasons together with showing me that he or she is responsible enough to handle it. It isn't a specific age but the maturity level.

 

[SB621]

When he or she needs it for valid reasons together with showing me that he or she is responsible enough to handle it. It isn't a specific age but the maturity level.

That pretty much covers it for me. The same goes with a credit card (with limited amount they can use). I won't put an age on it but when the need is warranted I will cover it then.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

I don't have children yet but I have much younger twin brothers who are ten years old. They have two of my old iPhones which are not connected to cell service. So they have smartphones but they're not used as phones. They can use them to play games and on wifi when they are at their home. They also use the iPod function, they love music. They will probably get cell service when they hit junior high school in a few more years. Knowing our Mother though, they will have to pay for their service by performing extra work around the house.

 

[TooPatient]

When he or she needs it for valid reasons together with showing me that he or she is responsible enough to handle it. It isn't a specific age but the maturity level.

This.

I'd love for "A" to have one now so that she could do a lot more walking around with friends. We live 1 mile from where they could go for pizza, frozen yogurt, coffee, etc. Instead of just calling me after school to ask if it is okay, she has to plan ahead and tell me exactly when and where and then borrow a friend's phone if they want to change plans.

BUT...
She lost the bracelet we gave her for her b-day within just a couple of weeks (real pearls, garnet, peridot, amethyst, gold).
Her $50 summer camp sweatshirt made it less than a month.
(just to name the major things that are recent -- last year she lost LOTS of stuff on a nearly daily basis)

When she can keep track of stuff (most of the time) and shows some interest in taking care of stuff (computers are NOT to set drinks on!) THEN we will consider the details of which phone and when.

 

[kenny]

SNIP
Children and Smartphones: What’s the Right Age?
Daniel P. Howley, Laptopmag.com August 18, 2013 2:08 PM

One of the biggest and most divisive debates among parents of young children and preteens deals with the age at which children should be allowed to have their own smartphone. The advent of kid-friendly apps and the ability to watch streaming videos in the palm of your hand have made the decision even more difficult for parents.
A recent survey conducted by mobile service provider Zact found that 56 percent of children ages 10 to 13 have a smartphone, while a shockingly high 25 percent of children ages 2 to 5 have a smartphone. But should children so young have access to their own handsets? And what is an appropriate age to own a smartphone?
We spoke with experts in the fields of child psychology and technology to help you decide when to finally cave and get your kid a smartphone.

How will the phone be used?

So, you’re sitting around the dinner table, and your 10-year-old brings up the subject of getting her own iPhone. Your immediate response may be to shut her down, deciding that she is too young for a handset, without giving it a second thought. But before you say no, you should question why she wants a smartphone in the first place.
“The real question is, ‘What is the phone for?’, not [at] what age the child should be using it,” said Dr. Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center. Rutledge — who focuses on the impact of media, social media and new technologies on children — recommends that parents look at the smartphone discussion from a practical standpoint.
“If the child is very active in team sports and there are a lot of logistics or emergencies, that is a very good reason to have a smartphone,” Rutledge said.
Of course, your son or daughter may simply want a smartphone for its social benefits. Rutledge said that at the fourth- or fifth-grade level, children today will start running into classmates who have their own smartphones. The desire to run in similar social circles as their classmates could make your children ask for their own smartphones.
The educational possibilities a smartphone presents should also play a role in any parent’s decision-making process. Proof of this educational potential exists in Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store, which offer apps that can help teach children everything from basic language-arts skills to calculus.

Emotional maturity required

The consensus among experts in the field of child psychology and development is that there is no universal age at which a child is ready for a smartphone. Rutledge noted that introducing your child to mobile technology at a young age will provide them with the kind of solid foundation they need to function in the increasingly digital world. However, she pointed out that parents should be attuned to their children’s emotional and physical maturity before handing them a smartphone.
“There are kids that work the phone very easily and some that it is going to be a frustrating experience,” she said. If a child becomes frustrated with technology at an early age, they may develop an aversion to it that can stick with them for quite some time.
Dr. Sherry Turkle, a professor in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Department of Sociology of Science, is a specialist on the psychological impact of computers and technology on children. She doesn’t believe there’s anything wrong with smartphones per se, but they can take away from the kind of face-to-face interaction children need to develop emotionally.
“Conversation with others is where children learn to have conversations with themselves," Turkle said. "For kids growing up, that is the bedrock of development.”
Turkle believes that when people are capable of enjoying solitude, they put themselves in line for healthy interpersonal relationships down the road. Smartphones, she said, negatively impact people's ability to be alone, as they will constantly try to contact someone when they are alone.
“Children must learn to be comfortable in their own company without having to retreat into a telephone or a game," Turkle stressed. “These days, the minute people are alone, if only for a few minutes, they reach for a phone.”

Helping or hurting development?

Rutledge indicated that there is no evidence to suggest that smartphones impact children’s social development. There have, though, been studies that point to excessive screen time as being problematic, she said.
“There is also evidence that technology can provide very effective learning experiences, especially when children don't have other types of positive cognitive and emotional stimulation,” Rutledge said. “This was the logic behind the development of 'Sesame Street.'"
Michael Moyer, a father of one, said he tries to keep his iPhone in his pocket while he's around his 2-year-old son. However, Moyer also admitted to using his handset as a distraction tool during particularly stressful situations. “We will give a phone to him in the waiting rooms of doctors' offices, for instance; he's scared of the doctor's office,” he said.
Still, Moyer, who said he’d like to wait until his son is 6 or 7 years old before giving him a handset of his own, is skeptical of a smartphone’s ability to serve as a learning tool.
“Kids are wired to learn from other humans, not from animated displays,” Moyer said.

Middle school as middle ground

A former member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Communications and Media, Dr. Kathleen Clarke-Pearson believes children entering middle school are at the point in their lives when they are becoming more independent. A smartphone, she contends, can ensure that distance doesn’t become too great.
“The cellphone provides access to parents and children,” said Clarke-Pearson, of the Chapel Hill North Medical Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. “It creates an opportunity for more communication, because the kids text the mother, saying, ‘I’m feeling sick,’ or ‘I’m feeling bullied’ or ‘The coach canceled practice, and I need a ride home.'"
“It’s part and parcel of this day and age,” Clarke-Pearson said. “It’s just part of the life of a middle schooler to have a cellphone.”
On the other hand, the experts we spoke with don’t condone giving a smartphone to a child younger than sixth grade. In fact, Clarke-Pearson told us it’s “not reasonable, sensible or developmentally appropriate” for children younger than that age to have a smartphone.
Turkle doesn’t have any specific guidelines, but she also urges parents to be cautious and use good discretion. “I don't think there is a magic point, a ‘right’ age. But this is something that should be postponed as long as possible,” Turkle said.
Parents may be tempted to simply say "no" and not even discuss the subject with their child, but that tactic probably won’t work, Rutledge said. “Denying access not only doesn't work, but it makes the activities more desirable,” she said.

Safety Precautions

Although there is clearly no firm answer as to when a child should get his or her first smartphone, experts agree that safety is paramount when a child does eventually get one.
A mother herself, Rutledge stresses that parents should have a conversation with their children outlining exactly what they will be doing with their phone.
“No child should use a smartphone or the Internet without being prepared with an understanding of the potential issues of privacy, permanence, searchability and netiquette,” Rutledge said.
“Look at it like a car: It can be very useful and very dangerous,” she added. “You don’t just throw them the keys; you teach them driving strategies and show them how to use it.
Rutledge said parents should create a contract with their children to discuss what the phone is for (and what it’s not for) and come to an agreement. Kids should also understand the implications of oversharing online. “There is no such thing as 'private' on the Internet,” she said.
To help prevent their children from sharing private information online, parents should implement parental controls on their children's handsets. All of the major carriers offer parental controls that not only prevent children from visiting inappropriate sites, but can also keep them from sending texts or making calls to untrusted numbers.
Verizon’s FamilyBase service ($5 per month for up to 10 lines), which launched in July, allows parents to monitor the activity of each device on their account, set usage limits and block contacts they don’t want their children to call or text. AT&T’s Smart Limits for Wireless ($4.99 per month) and T-Mobile’s Family Allowance ($4.99 per month for as many lines as there are on the account) and MobileLife, offer similar features. Sprint’s Guardian ($9.99 per month for up to five lines) software offers all of the aforementioned benefits, while also helping to ensure teens don’t use their handsets while driving.

Bottom Line

Child-psychology experts don’t have anything against smartphones. In fact, they say these devices can be useful learning tools and can help parents stay in touch with their children. As kids approach middle school, most parents should feel comfortable giving Junior a device of his own, provided he demonstrates the necessary emotional maturity.
However, parents should sit down with their kids and teach them how to responsibly use their devices. Specifically, Clarke-Pearson said parents should discuss the dangers of sexting and sending photos of themselves, as well as how to act as good digital citizens.
Remember: Children will learn digital behavior by watching you. “If you don't want your kid overusing their phones, honor the boundaries you want them to follow, Rutledge said. “Don't bring your smartphone to the dinner table, don't text while you drive and don't ignore them while using the Internet.”

END SNIP

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/children-smartphones-age-180819792.html

 

[kenny]

85 views.
3 votes.

 

[ecf8503]

When he or she needs it for valid reasons together with showing me that he or she is responsible enough to handle it. It isn't a specific age but the maturity level.

This. No set age - just when they demonstrate the need and maturity.

 

[monarch64]

85 views.
3 votes.

There isn't an "I don't know" choice, so I didn't vote. This topic really has me thrown, even after reading the responses and the article. Our child is 15 months old. Who knows what kind of technology will be available or standard when she is old enough to communicate via smart device.

If I had a 5 year old, like my niece, I think I'd vote 12? That seems like an age when it's standard for kids to be participating in activities away from parents on a regular basis.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

With one middle school student & one elementary, I've quickly embraced what needs to ensure our family has a working game plan and no longer base our phone plans on what other families values are bc they're not raising our kids. I had planned to wait a few years for the iphones, but today, I was only able to reach my son in downtown city/by calling his friend and that seemed odd, and further confirmed my son needs his own phone...the driver, a good friend of mine, couldn't reply bc she was stuck in traffic.
Basically, I've found some are for or against kids at my boys' ages' having phones, but some have home lines, which we don't have...it makes more sense to have two more iphones vs home line if we are to add additional lines for the kids. The cost breakdown would be
$20 more a month after activation fees for the cells, which is worth it to me bc they can take the phones with them. Years ago, I'd never say my 11 &13 yr olds boys would have smart phones, but with school activities, lack of neighbor support, and no home line, have redirected what works best for us. I'm beyond duplicating other friends' kids' plans.

My son signed up for a 4-day-a-week activity and to reach him, I can text the phone we'll be getting him, text his friend, or text/call a person "coach" that we only met a couple weeks ago. I'd say that is a no-brainer, especially since, in addition to not knowing this coach, my son was signed up with a second adult leader and I sent her an email 4 days ago and never heard back (and we're on a private email group) so how do I know she is reliable? I want to contact my son when he's downtown in the city, so he will get a phone that txts/calls.
As parents, we're lucky to have this technology and I plan to use it.

Both boys will have rules w/their phones. It's not a free-for-all and both know that already.

 

[diamondringlover]

he will get one when he gets a job and can pay for the data package

 

[yennyfire]

When he or she needs it for valid reasons together with showing me that he or she is responsible enough to handle it. It isn't a specific age but the maturity level.

That pretty much covers it for me. The same goes with a credit card (with limited amount they can use). I won't put an age on it but when the need is warranted I will cover it then.

+2

 

[MissStepcut]

If she could use it, she'd have one now (10 months). My little brother has had one since he was 9? It's not for him and his amusement, it's so my parents can reach him and vice versa.

 

[Maria D]

The survey specifically asked "smartphone" so I replied, 18, the year I got my daughter an iPhone for her birthday. She is going to university in Canada and special student deal for smartphone plans wasn't much more than for other phones, and she absolutely needs a phone, so that's what I got her.

I gave her a *cell* phone (dumb?) when she was 12 for the same reasons TooPatient mentions - so she could let me know where she was at all times. It cost an extra $10 on our family plan, including texting. She has always been a very responsible kid and it worked out well - she never lost or damaged a phone. I even stopped buying insurance for her phone when I could see it wasn't necessary.

She wanted an iPhone all through high school but I refused unless she would cough up the $40/month for the required data plan. She didn't think it was worth it - just used her iPod with wifi. Which is why I think that article is b.s. You can get a kid an iPhone, iPad or iPad mini as a one shot deal dollar-wise and they could have access to all those educational benefits. With a *phone* you are paying at least $480/year for a data plan and I don't see any reason a person without the means to pay for it needs internet access wherever they go!

 

[tyty333]

My 7th grader has a hand-me down smartphone But, it does not have service (wifi only)
Was thinking at Xmas I would give him a dumb phone with just talking and text so
that I could communicate with him (it would be more of a pay as you go thing).

Maybe some time in high school when he can pay for his plan he can have a smart phone.

 

[lovemybling]

Both of my older boys got smart phones when they started 7th grade. They use them in class for current events, calculators and to read (kindle app). The do have quite a few restrictions on them. Age restrictions on apps music and movies. That being said my now 15 has just "lost" his smart phone for doing thing that I feel are irresponsible.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Not a parent but a teacher, and I see my students always on their phones. Some of them are VERY active in extracurriculars and I can see the need for the parents to be able to reach them, but I don't necessarily know if they *need* a smartphone.

For me, I would say around late middle school, they could have an iPod or iPad (definitely in high school, especially if the school has a student Wifi) so they can access their e-mail, contact their teachers or access internet-posted assignments, and get them a dumbphone. When they can pay for the data plan, sure, a smartphone.

But...this isn't going to be my problem for over a decade, and as someone else said, who knows what our tech will be like then. Maybe dumbphones won't exist

 

[TooPatient]

Not a parent but a teacher, and I see my students always on their phones. Some of them are VERY active in extracurriculars and I can see the need for the parents to be able to reach them, but I don't necessarily know if they *need* a smartphone.

For me, I would say around late middle school, they could have an iPod or iPad (definitely in high school, especially if the school has a student Wifi) so they can access their e-mail, contact their teachers or access internet-posted assignments, and get them a dumbphone. When they can pay for the data plan, sure, a smartphone.

But...this isn't going to be my problem for over a decade, and as someone else said, who knows what our tech will be like then. Maybe dumbphones won't exist

"A" was given a mini-laptop (netbook) in 7th grade at school. Her school requires this. She has access to Wifi at school, tutoring, and around plus wired internet at home.

I can see us getting her a "dumbphone" (love that phrase!) as soon as we have any reason to believe it would survive more than just a few days. A smartphone is not needed and that will probably be one of those things she gets when she can pay for it herself. I don't think she is deprived as she has (in addition to the school owned netbook) a laptop, a digital camera, computer drawing stuff and more.


Kenny -- I didn't vote because you didn't have an "I don't know" or "other" or "it depends". We aren't looking for any set age. It all comes down the responsibility. If she could have managed it last year we would have gotten her a "dumbphone" at 13. If she can manage it this year, it will be at 14. Smartphone may be a never. Hard to say. If her laptop dies and the high school doesn't require the use of a school laptop then we might consider some combination of "dumbphone" and iPad.

 

[NTave]

My DD has had a cell phone since she was 9, and an IPod since 8. She purchased her own IPad with her own money within the last 6 months...I don't even have an Ipad. I see no reason why she needs a smart phone when she owns these multiple devices which essentially do the same thing. She does not use social media at this point to reach out to her peers, and I hope that this is a few years away still so I can keep an eye on things.
If its a status symbol amongst kids, then our status is we don't have money for a data plan. FWIW I would not have added a cell to my plan if I was not divorced and have communication issues with my childrens father such as where he currently lives, etc. It was a safety issue. If she eventually wants to buy a smart phone and pay for data plan herself...sure.

 

[amc80]

I would love to get "dumb" phones for our kid(s) when they are older, but I don't know if that type of phone will be available in 10-12 years. I think the kids need to be able to contact us and vice versa. I don't thing they need to be texting all hours of the day to their friends. I also don't think kids need unsupervised internet access. If they do have smart phones there will be very strict rules. No calls/text after a certain time, DH and I can have total access whenever we want, etc.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Not a parent but a teacher, and I see my students always on their phones. Some of them are VERY active in extracurriculars and I can see the need for the parents to be able to reach them, but I don't necessarily know if they *need* a smartphone.

For me, I would say around late middle school, they could have an iPod or iPad (definitely in high school, especially if the school has a student Wifi) so they can access their e-mail, contact their teachers or access internet-posted assignments, and get them a dumbphone. When they can pay for the data plan, sure, a smartphone.

My son is in 7th grade now. I wasn't sure about him having a smart phone, but we made a spontaneous trip on a day he also had homework which needed to be completed and he needed web access and it sure was nice that he could use my iphone in the car to look up information for his assignment. He's for sure the type who'll be using his internet access for mostly school-related activities.

My other son is the type that will be looking at youtube music videos.

Both will have a data plan and will be taught to check their minutes...I also have my phone set to warn me if any phones under my plan (dh is under my plan currently) are reaching the data limit for the month.

Kids will have to turn their phones off after a specific time or while doing homework.

 

[luv2sparkle]

My older 4 children all got one when they could pay for it themselves. I am going to get my youngest (17) a iphone 4S in a few weeks. I am getting it for a couple of reasons. He recently was involved in a few things I was not happy with. His cellphone will be monitored. He is aware of this and is ok with it. Secondly, his school has an online app which lists all of his homework and everything he needs to know. My husband and I have it on our phones but he needs to be able to see it during the day too. He can see it on his ipod touch but will just be simpler to have it on an iphone instead of trying to bring two devices with him at all times.

 

[ericad]

My DD is 8. She saved her allowance for a year and bought herself a Kindle Fire and has taken meticulous care of it, so I recently gave her an old iphone and added service under our family plan (pretty cheap) so that we can reach her throughout the day (she's often at her sports activities, grandparents' house, friend's house, etc.) or for her to be able to reach us whenever she needs to. I initially thought it would be a waste of money, but it's come in handy lots of times. She's taken very good care of it, and I enjoy the "I love you mama" texts I get throughout the day when I can't be with her.

Now that she's getting older and more independent, I see it as a personal safety measure too. Though she's always supervised by us or a trusted adult, I like that she has her own phone that she can use to contact us in case of an emergency. For example, DH took her to her sports practice once and they had our new puppy with them. He thought her class ended at a certain time, so he took the dog for a short walk to the park next door. Class actually ended 15 minutes earlier than he thought, and she was wondering why he wasn't there. She was able to call him right away and clear it up. The alternative would have been that she sat there for 15 minutes, alone and scared, or ask to use someone else's phone and need to have her dad's cell number memorized, etc. It's just so much easier for her to have a phone of her own.

I like that she has it if she needs it.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My DD is 8. She saved her allowance for a year and bought herself a Kindle Fire and has taken meticulous care of it, so I recently gave her an old iphone and added service under our family plan (pretty cheap) so that we can reach her throughout the day (she's often at her sports activities, grandparents' house, friend's house, etc.) or for her to be able to reach us whenever she needs to. I initially thought it would be a waste of money, but it's come in handy lots of times. She's taken very good care of it, and I enjoy the "I love you mama" texts I get throughout the day when I can't be with her. .

Cute! That is the nice thing about texting when they're still little and sweet...they send you nice texts. My son can send me text messages if he's using his ipod in our house and I only work PT, but the days I work, I'm gone 10-12 hours and my son sends me sweet little messages or funny pictures. He loves the cheezeburger/LOL cats pictures and will send me random ones, plus little notes.

Both kids got a huge kick out of d*mn you auto correct...they were laughing so much!

 

[gem_anemone]

Most adults that have smartphones don't even need them (myself included), so I can't see why a kid or teenager would ever need one. It's purely a novelty and convenience thing. I don't know for sure as I have no kids yet and am only pregnant, but I would probably never buy my kid a smartphone, so I voted 18. Once they are 18 they should have a job, their own money, and be able to enter into a cellphone contract. If at that time they want to waste their hard earned money on a smartphone, then it would be up to them.

Edited to say that I would maybe consider something with Wifi if and only if there was a way to monitor internet access. I would also take the device away at certain times of day: homework, bedtime, et cetera. Providing something like this would all be depending on the maturity level of my kid. If it's going to cause a lot of fights or rebellion, then I wouldn't give them anything. I am also against personal laptops, computers, and any devices which can connect to the internet in private rooms of the home and would only allow them in public family rooms.

Easy for me to say, eh? Maybe this is all wishful thinking and goes down the drain once you are in the situation.

 

[amc80]

I am also against personal laptops, computers, and any devices which can connect to the internet in private rooms of the home and would only allow them in public family rooms.

Ditto! If they can't do it in front of me then they shouldn't be doing it in the first place. DH is a deputy sheriff and the stuff he comes across is shocking. Teens texting/chatting/emailing stuff to each other that I would be embarrassed to say to my own husband.

 

[Christina...]

We bought a smartphone for our son when he was 11 (I voted 10 because 11 wasn't an option) and he began staying for afterschool sports and activities. One day his practice was canceled and I wasn't notified until a teacher called telling me that I have a very scared little boy and asked if I had forgotten to pick him up! We live 1 1/2 HOURS from his school, so this was a BIG error in communication from his school! I had a phone in his backpack within 48 hours. Unfortunately since my son has changed schools and his transportation has changed we have had several 'miscommunications' with his school and they continue to ask for our 'patience and understanding'! Just last week I was told that my son would be dropped off at 7:00 pm due to a school field trip, DH and I went to an early dinner out and arrived home at 5:15, unlocked the door to see our DS backpack in the middle of the kitchen floor. He had been home for 45 minutes and had to break into our house through an unlocked window! Unfortunately his cell phone was placed in an otherwise unused pocket of his backpack and he was unable to locate it. So, I suppose even a cell phone isn't a foolproof method. I should mention though that our son is deaf so communication with neighbors or police is a challenge and a cell phone that can accommodate TTY and text messaging, a necessity IMO. It makes DH and I, and most especially our son feel much more safe and secure.

For those who have mentioned that they are worried about the access that smartphones and laptops afford their children....their are nanny programs that limit accessibility to mature content. Schools use them all the time in an effort to ensure that students are only using school computers for learning. DH and I use a netsitter and take advantage of time restraint programs not only for his laptop but also for his gaming systems. They aren't foolproof but they do add a level of security. I try to respect our sons privacy and independence but realize that their are predators our there and that our children don't always know what it best for them. It's a balancing act and I fully expect that there will be issues and incidences along the way that will require us to rethink our position, but for now, it works for all of us and I am grateful that we have technology available that makes us all feel more secure.

 

[kenny]

The comedian Louis C.K. is a single dad with two girls.

Here's why they won't be getting phone ... http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/showbiz/2013/09/20/conan-louis-ck-cell-phones.team-coco.html