Many who offer parenting guidance emphasize the importance of limiting children’s screen time.
So, when is the right time to give kids their first smartphone?
This question can be more complex than it appears, as per Dr. Joshua Stein, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical director at PrairieCare in Minnesota.
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“The right age is influenced by various factors,” he conveyed to Fox News Digital. “By age 11, it is estimated that half of children possess smartphones, although many families choose to wait significantly longer.”
Providing a smartphone to your child should be a “thoughtful and careful choice” that considers the child’s “maturity, growth, and impulsive behaviors,” Stein advised.
A psychologist recommended that parents engage in a “straightforward conversation” with their child about readiness for a smartphone. (iStock)
“You likely have some awareness of how your child can manage a smartphone appropriately,” he added.
If there are already tensions at home regarding screen time or content suitability, or past issues with online vulnerabilities, it may be wise to delay giving a smartphone, the specialist suggested.
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Fox News Digital also consulted Titania Jordan, chief parenting officer at Bark Technologies in Atlanta, who advised parents to “postpone as long as possible” introducing smartphones.
“Not a single parent I’ve encountered — and I’ve spoken to thousands over the last decade — has expressed regret about not giving their child a phone sooner,” she stated.
“Certainly, I understand this isn’t always feasible.”
Experts warn that most children encounter online pornography by age nine. (iStock)
Jordan, author of “Parenting in a Tech World,” remarked that “every family is unique,” and some children may require devices sooner due to unique circumstances such as divorce or extracurricular commitments.
“When your child needs to communicate with trusted contacts digitally and you need to monitor their whereabouts, look for safer technology,” she advised.
Both specialists recommended considering alternatives to a standard smartphone, such as smartwatches, flip phones, or other devices without internet access.
Making the Choice
A “valuable initial step” in this decision-making process is to assess how screen time has affected the child and the family previously, Stein suggested.
“A child’s past behavior involving video games, a parent’s smartphone, or a school laptop can indicate whether managing a smartphone would be challenging for them,” he mentioned.
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Before reaching the age of 10, many children may have encountered inappropriate websites or struggled with excessive screen use, according to the expert.
“This suggests they may not be ready for the responsible self-management required for smartphone use.”
To help determine if your child is ready for a phone, one expert recommends reflecting on how screen time has impacted your family. (iStock)
To assist parents in deciding if their children are ready for a phone, Jordan shared the following inquiries to consider:
- Does the child adhere to current screen time limits for TV and gaming?
- Are they managing their school responsibilities and prioritizing tasks effectively?
- Does the child often misplace or lose belongings?
- Are they easily distracted?
- How well does the child deal with disagreements and learn from their mistakes?
“Children will naturally make mistakes, but the risk associated with smartphones is considerable.”
“Kids will make mistakes, but the risks associated with phones are significant,” Jordan emphasized. “They need to comprehend the repercussions of their online actions.”
This decision can present an opportunity for parents to discuss their family’s values and ethics, Stein noted.
“Each family possesses unique perspectives and boundaries regarding expectations and risk tolerance,” he added.
Parents should clarify that denying a phone is a safety precaution, not a punishment. (iStock)
“Having this conversation can be challenging, particularly because peers may have access to exciting technologies sooner,” he noted. “Parents can reassure their child that their moment will arrive, but not just yet.”
Parents should also convey that the choice stems from safety concerns, rather than being a punitive measure.
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“Allow your child to articulate how they would use the phone safely and responsibly,” advised Stein. “This provides an opportunity for the child to start showing they are mature enough.”
Cellular Implications
The “clear and significant” dangers of giving children phones too early include online predation and exposure to adult content, according to Stein.
There are also concerns about the impact of screen time on children’s well-being, the psychiatrist stated.
A Gallup survey in 2023 revealed that teens with over five hours of screen time daily were 60% more likely to experience suicidal thoughts or self-harm. (iStock)
“Studies suggest that children exposed to too much screen time or early social media access display higher rates of depression and anxiety,” he cautioned.
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Another significant worry is that children might squander time on mobile devices instead of engaging in sports, theater, or other extracurricular activities, Stein pointed out.
“They might find themselves endlessly scrolling through videos and snippets of others’ lives,” he remarked. “Screens can quickly replace actively living your life for passively observing someone else’s.”
“It has been established that children with excessive screen time or early social media exposure are more prone to anxiety and depression,” a psychologist warned. (iStock)
Parents are encouraged to explain to their children that online images often depict an “idealized self,” which may not reflect reality.
“It is easy to feel inadequate when confronted with the glamorous and often edited portrayals that people share,” he explained. “Discuss this concept with your child.”
Mental Health Considerations
In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a formal advisory about the effects of smartphones and social media on teenagers.
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Access to social media heightens the risk of cyberbullying, depression, sleep disturbances, self-harm, and issues with body image, according to the notice.
A 2023 Gallup survey revealed that teens logging over five hours of screen time daily were 60% more likely to voice suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harming behavior.
For parents of children with smartphones, regular check-ins are deemed essential, a psychologist stated. (iStock)
Such children were also found to be nearly three times as likely to hold a negative self-image and 30% more likely to report significant feelings of sadness.
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Stein stressed the importance of parents monitoring their children’s smartphones to manage usage and safeguard their mental health.
“Weekly check-ins are essential.”
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Parents might be surprised by the kind of language their children use, the websites they visit, and how effortlessly strangers can reach out to them, Stein cautioned.
Families should emphasize maintaining an “open line of communication” concerning smartphone use, ensuring that any inappropriate or alarming incidents are reported, he advised.
In these discussions, parents should prioritize communicating their family values rather than avoiding tough conversations, experts suggest. (iStock)
Parents must reiterate to children that online posts carry permanence.
“Children can’t make the same mistakes that earlier generations did before the digital age,” Stein expressed. “An inappropriate post can affect them for their entire lifetime.”
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Jordan encouraged parents to engage their children in discussions about the real dangers that come with smartphone use.
Additionally, she recommend using a third-party monitoring application that can scan the child’s device for threats, and that parents stay informed about popular social media channels.
