Technology is a blessing and a curse. It led you here (hello!) but as a parent it can also be awfully confusing, especially when you're considering whether and when to let your younger children have their first cell phone. I've seen a number of posts on social media recently, both in local groups as well as on my personal friends' pages, from parents seeking opinions about this. Of course, every family has its own rules and standards and expectations, but some responses and reasons fell into themes.
Many parents indicated their child was 10+ when given their first phone.
Most often, it seemed kids were given a phone if they were going to be home alone for a short amount of time, or if they had practices after school and would need to arrange transportation home. If kids were responsible for getting on or off the school bus on their own, a phone call was a way to notify their parent or guardian that they arrived safely.
There are specific models recommended for children that limit cellular activity to pre-selected numbers or apps.
Some phones come with parental controls, messaging, educational games, a camera, and a limited number of preset contacts. Smart watches also have built-in GPS trackers so you can have peace of mind about the location of your child.
Before handing over a phone, teach them about digital safety.
We all know the pitfalls of social media, of sharing sensitive personal information, not clicking on some links in emails, etc., but most children are not yet that savvy. Be sure to talk with your child before giving them their first phone about age-appropriate content, durability of the device, and how much digital control you'll wield over it. Do you want them to have access to the internet? Do you want to limit who they can talk with and when? Should they be able to download shows or music on their device? Answer these questions with your child and make sure they understand any consequences if your expectations are violated. Having access to a cell phone is common these days, but it's still a major privilege for tweens and teens.
