Although hours of screen time have significantly climbed since 2019, the age of smartphone introduction has only slightly changed. Recent survey data suggests 42% of U.S. kids have a phone by age 10. By age 14, smartphone ownership climbs to 91%. No matter the age, there are justifiable reasons for when a first phone is placed in a child’s pocket.
The wide range of ages for smartphone introduction reflects the complexity of this decision. It’s impossible to simplify the “best” time for all children to get a phone to the number of candles on their birthday cake. Managing a smartphone successfully is a complex skill requiring social-emotional, cognitive and relational readiness skills that kids achieve at different ages.
Developmental Readiness Is More Important Than Age
Rather than thinking of a specific age as the benchmark, reframe the decision with the developmental readiness of your child in mind. Before buying a smartphone for your child, consider attributes that are associated with more successful digital use.
Milestones I consider important for smartphone readiness include:
- Having more ability for complex thoughts and improved reasoning
- Starting to understand tone, idiom and sarcasm
- Developing their own solutions
- Demonstrating early long-range planning
- Showing signs of empathy, or thinking of others
- Developing a stronger sense of right and wrong
- Showing more interest in and influence by their peer group
- Responding appropriately to limits and boundaries
- Improved communication for wants and needs
If your child is beginning to show these developmental skills, or there is a family situation in which digital connection is necessary, it may be time for the smartphone. And as this time approaches, I recommend having a series of discussions with your child about what having a phone might look like.
Practice Joint Decision Making
Often, your child will have valid reasons for wanting to have a personal device. Discussion about their expectations of smartphone ownership can be helpful to mutually determine their readiness and their expectation of the phone’s rules and boundaries.
Questions to ask your child before getting a first smartphone may include:
- What would you use the phone for? Why do you need it?
- How much time do you think you should be able to use your phone each day?
- Where will you charge your device at night?
- Are there times of the day when you don’t think you should use a phone?
- What are you going to do with your phone at school? What are the rules about the phone at school?
- What are the things you enjoy doing most without a phone? How are you going to balance those fun things with using a new phone?
- What should the consequence be if you lose your phone?
Your child deserves a voice in the conversation, but is not the ultimate decision maker. Not every kid has a smartphone, nor does every child need one. If you’re not comfortable or ready to introduce the device, it’s okay to delay. But If your answer is no, clearly define the steps or behaviors that you would need to routinely see in order to change your mind on the smartphone decision. In this way, your child knows the specific things you are watching for in order to revisit the conversation again.
"Smartphone" - Google News
November 16, 2022 at 09:00PM
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Dear Pediatrician: What Is The Best Age For A Child's First Smartphone? - Forbes
"Smartphone" - Google News
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