Cell Phones for Kids?

Although I'm not there yet with my children, there's no denying Parents feel pressured to buy cell phones for kids. And the age is younger and younger when getting their first cellphones. The majority of teens already have their own phone; 78 percent have a cellphone and almost half of those own smartphones, according to the Pew Research Center. But it's not uncommon to see kids in elementary school and even preschool have cellphones these days. My kindergartener has peers with smart phones!

This begs the questions: When is the right time to buy cell phones for kids? A lot of my friends believe that when a child hits double digits, they are ready for a cellphone. I suppose a shiny new phone would be a pretty special 10th or 11th birthday present, but age is far from the only factor when determining if a child is ready. Maturity, responsibility and level of digital education are all critical considerations.

It's often tough for parents to weigh the pros and cons of kid cellphone usage. It's great to keep in touch when apart, but does it prevent face-to-face interactions and the development of important social skills? It provides peace of mind, sure, but what about Internet safety concerns? Is your child ready to navigate the complexities of the digital world?

There truly is no set age when a child should have a cellphone, and each caregiver must decide for their own family when that step is appropriate. That being said, here are a few steps every parent should take to help their children use their phones responsibly:

1. Set parental restrictions: Talk to your children about staying within data limits and use parental restrictions and controls.

2. Talk about safety: When deciding to get cell phones for kids, its imperative to discuss who children should and shouldn't talk with and what constitutes inappropriate Internet content.

3. Talk about texts: Texting and photo messaging can be innocent or threatening. Make sure your children know what is right.

4. Get real about cyber-bullying: Cyber-bullying is a growing concern, and your children should know it's okay to come to you if they are a victim or observe these behaviors among friends.

5. Determine phone times: It's best to keep phones out of bedrooms at night and away from study areas in order to negate unnecessary distractions.

6. Protect this privilege: A cellphone isn't a right; it's a privilege. You have the right at any time to take it away if rules are broken. Some parents even develop contracts for older kids to ensure they take cellphone use seriously. A cellphone is also a more expensive privilege that should be protected and taken care of. We recommend a sturdy phone like the iPhone 16 premium case from Ghostek. 

7. Lead by example: Kids learn from you. If you're texting at the dinner table or checking email when you should be spending time with the family, don't expect kids to do any different.