Experts offering parenting guidance often stress the importance of regulating children’s screen time.
So, when is the right age to provide children with their own smartphone?
This question is more complex than it appears, according to Dr. Joshua Stein, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical director at PrairieCare in Minnesota.
SLEEP SPECIALISTS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT NIGHTTIME SCREEN TIME: HOW YOUR DEVICE COULD BE HARMING YOUR SLEEP
“It largely depends on various factors,” he shared with Fox News Digital. “By age 11, it’s estimated that half of the kids possess smartphones, but many families opt to wait longer before making that decision.”
Bestowing a smartphone upon your child should be a “careful and deliberate choice” based on the child’s “maturity, developmental stage, and impulsivity,” Stein advised.
A psychologist encouraged parents to have an “open conversation” with their children about being ready for a smartphone. (iStock)
“You likely have some insight into your child’s capability to manage a smartphone responsibly,” he stated.
If there have already been household disputes regarding screen time or content appropriateness, or prior challenges related to online vulnerability, waiting a bit longer may be advisable, the expert suggested.
‘BED ROTTING’ IS SELF-CARE, CLAIM SOME, BUT A MENTAL HEALTH EXPERT WARNS ABOUT THIS SOCIAL MEDIA TREND
Fox News Digital also consulted Titania Jordan, chief parenting officer at Bark Technologies in Atlanta, who advised parents to “delay as long as feasibly possible” before providing smartphones.
“In all my discussions with parents—thousands over the last decade—not a single one has regretted not giving their kid a phone sooner,” she affirmed.
“Of course, I realize this isn’t always achievable.”
Experts warn that most children encounter pornography online by the age of nine. (iStock)
Jordan, author of “Parenting in a Tech World,” pointed out that “every family is unique,” and that some children may require devices earlier based on circumstances such as divorce or extracurricular needs.
“If and when your child requires digital communication with trusted contacts and location tracking, opt for safer technology,” she suggested.
Both experts recommended alternatives to traditional smartphones, such as smartwatches, flip phones, or other mobile devices without internet capability.
Evaluating the Choice
A “critical first step” in this decision-making process is to assess how screen time has previously influenced the child and the family, Stein advised.
“Behaviors exhibited with video game consoles, a parent’s smartphone, or a school laptop may indicate whether a smartphone could pose challenges for your child,” he stated.
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGIST ADVISES PARENTS TO AVOID SMARTPHONES FOR KIDS TO PRESERVE MENTAL HEALTH
Even before age 10, many children have already accessed inappropriate content or have struggled with excessive screen consumption, according to the specialist.
“This suggests that they are not yet capable of responsible self-management of a smartphone.”
Experts highlight that evaluating previous screen time impacts on your child and family is crucial in making this decision. (iStock)
To assist parents in determining if their children are ready for a mobile device, Jordan suggested considering the following questions:
- Does the child adhere to existing screen time regulations for TV and video games?
- Is he/she able to manage schoolwork and prioritize responsibilities?
- Does the child frequently misplace items?
- Does he/she become easily distracted?
- How effectively does the child manage conflicts and learn from errors?
“Children are bound to err, but the risks associated with mobile phones are substantial.”
“Children are bound to err, but the risks associated with mobile phones are substantial,” Jordan stressed. “They should grasp the repercussions of their online actions.”
This choice can be a moment for parents to instill their family’s values and ethics, Stein stated.
“Each family has unique expectations and varying tolerances for risk,” he emphasized.
Parents should reassure their children that not allowing them access to a phone is a safety measure, not a form of punishment. (iStock)
“This can be a challenging conversation since many of their peers may have access to exciting technologies sooner,” he continued. “Parents can comfort their children by explaining that their time will come, but it’s not yet.”
Moreover, parents ought to clarify that this choice is based on safety and is not intended as a form of punishment.
SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS SUCH AS TIKTOK AND YOUTUBE ARE ACCUSED OF CONTRIBUTING TO A ‘YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS’ IN LAWSUIT BY SCHOOL BOARDS
“Encourage your child to articulate how they would use the phone safely and appropriately,” Stein suggested. “This allows children to begin proving their maturity.”
Consequences of Cellphone Use
The “significant and profound” dangers of granting a phone too early include exposure to predatory behavior and adult content, Stein pointed out.
Concerns also arise regarding the impact of screen time on children’s well-being, he added.
A Gallup study in 2023 indicated that teens with over five hours of screen time daily were 60% more likely to express suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harm. (iStock)
“Research indicates that children exposed to excessive screen time or social media at a young age are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety,” he cautioned.
NORTH CAROLINA MOTHER WHO ‘RELIED’ ON DAUGHTER’S IPAD GOES VIRAL AFTER SEVERING IT COLD TURKEY
Another “serious concern” is that children might squander time online instead of engaging in sports, theater, or other extracurricular activities, Stein remarked.
“They may find themselves endlessly scrolling through short videos and snippets of others’ lives,” he noted. “Screens can quickly replace life experiences with passive observation.”
“Studies show that children experiencing excessive screen time or early access to social media are more inclined to suffer from anxiety or depression,” warned one psychologist. (iStock)
Parents ought to educate their children that the images they encounter online often represent an “idealized version” of life, not the genuine article.
“It’s easy to feel inadequate due to the embellished portrayals shared by others,” he pointed out. “Engage in discussions regarding your child’s understanding of this phenomenon.”
Mental Health Considerations
In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released a notable advisory concerning the effect of smartphones and social media on teenagers.
KIDS’ SCREEN TIME SAW A SHARP INCREASE DURING THE PANDEMIC — AND IT REMAINS HIGHER THAN PRE-COVID LEVELS
The advisory warned that access to social media escalates the risks of cyberbullying, depression, sleep disturbances, self-harm, and body image issues.
Furthermore, a Gallup survey in 2023 found that teens logging over five hours of screen time each day were 60% more likely to report thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
For parents of children using smartphones, regular weekly check-ins are essential, according to a psychologist. (iStock)
These teens were also found to be 2.8 times more likely to harbor a negative body image and 30% more likely to report feeling significantly sad.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Stein stressed the importance of monitoring children’s phones to manage usage and safeguard their mental health.
“Regular weekly check-ins are essential.”
For additional Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews/lifestyle
Parents might be astonished by the language their children use, the websites they explore, and how easily strangers can reach out to them, Stein cautioned.
Families should emphasize maintaining an “open line of communication” about smartphone usage, encouraging reporting of anything inappropriate or distressed.
Families should communicate their values in these scenarios rather than avoiding difficult discussions, a psychologist advised. (iStock)
Additionally, parents should remind their offspring that online posts remain permanent.
“Children now do not have the same freedom to err as previous generations; an inappropriate post could haunt them for the rest of their lives,” Stein cautioned.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Jordan encouraged parents to discuss real-life dangers associated with smartphone use with their children.
She also recommended utilizing third-party monitoring applications that scan children’s phones for potential threats while staying current with popular social media platforms.
