What age should children/teens be given their first phones?

[Greater vakolicci haven]

14 or 15 and only conditionally. The need for kids to have cell phones is drastically overstated. The "in case of emergencies" thing is mostly bullshit since first world kids are rarely going to find themselves in an emergency where an adult isn't already nearby.

Above all, though, they shouldn't have access to their cell phones at home, especially during dinner or other family activities.

When you propose restricting something, it helps if you have reasons.

[Scomagia]

Anything less than or near pre-pubescent age. It kinda urks me whenever I see toddlers watch these lame YouTubers on their iPads with their thick plastic iPad cases

Let them watch lame youtubers, lol, even they're really CRINGE, actually is part of actual generation's childhood, you can't change that

It's also unknown what that's doing to their brain development so some caution is definitely in order.

[Scomagia]

14 or 15 and only conditionally. The need for kids to have cell phones is drastically overstated. The "in case of emergencies" thing is mostly bullshit since first world kids are rarely going to find themselves in an emergency where an adult isn't already nearby.

Above all, though, they shouldn't have access to their cell phones at home, especially during dinner or other family activities.

When you propose restricting something, it helps if you have reasons.

To which part of my post are you referring? When crafting a reply, it helps to not be snarky and unclear.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Let them watch lame youtubers, lol, even they're really CRINGE, actually is part of actual generation's childhood, you can't change that

It's also unknown what that's doing to their brain development so some caution is definitely in order.

Nobody knows what too much time indoors is doing to their breain development. The sort of parents who want this want two things, which are pretty mutually exclusive: they don't want kids to play outside much because of the scary pedos, however they don't seem to want them to use much technology...uhm because reasons? They've never really been able to make it into words that don't sound like 'we don't understand it so it must be bad.' Technology keeps kids who can't play outside occupied, it lets them see things that they wouldn't usually see. It's not cancer, it's necessary in the modern world.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

When you propose restricting something, it helps if you have reasons.

To which part of my post are you referring? When crafting a reply, it helps to not be snarky and unclear.

All of it, really, every point you made. You propose that children shouldn't have phones until a very high age, and you also proposed that they shouldn't have access to them in the home...especially mealtimes (?).

[Bear Stearns]

My children will have BlackBerries from the day they are born.

[Pacomia]

Coming back, I'm surprised by the number of answers that give an age in the teens. By 6th grade, most kids have phones (at least where I am). I think that most kids should get a phone in elementary school. What's the reasoning for those answers?

[Scomagia]

To which part of my post are you referring? When crafting a reply, it helps to not be snarky and unclear.

All of it, really, every point you made. You propose that children shouldn't have phones until a very high age, and you also proposed that they shouldn't have access to them in the home...especially mealtimes (?).

A quick look at the increasing rates of psychological distress from overuse of social media should make the first condition pretty obvious.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source= ... 9372687869

Yes, kids shouldn't be dicking around on their phones when their actual family is physically in their presence at a time for familial interaction.

[Scomagia]

It's also unknown what that's doing to their brain development so some caution is definitely in order.

Nobody knows what too much time indoors is doing to their breain development. The sort of parents who want this want two things, which are pretty mutually exclusive: they don't want kids to play outside much because of the scary pedos, however they don't seem to want them to use much technology...uhm because reasons? They've never really been able to make it into words that don't sound like 'we don't understand it so it must be bad.' Technology keeps kids who can't play outside occupied, it lets them see things that they wouldn't usually see. It's not cancer, it's necessary in the modern world.

You're basically tilting at windmills here because you aren't addressing anything I've actually said, rather you are arguing with some non-existent person.

[Xmara]

I got my first phone, a Motorola Razr when I was 10. My parents wanted me to get used to carrying a cell phone since I would be going to middle school soon and they wanted me to be able to contact them in case of emergency.

I think when children get ready to go to middle school is a good time to give them a phone, since middle school is when a lot of kids start participating in after school activities and school sports.

Also, I hate when I see toddlers being given their own phones. I don’t care how many parental controls you have, they are too young. The most they should have is one of those plastic Fisher Price phones with the eyes and wheels.

[Saiwania]

I'd say 16 at minimum and I'd want it to have no camera function so there is no risk that they'll take an illegal photo before they're 18 and will probably know better. I don't think I can get behind paying for phone service on a monthly basis for a minor. I'd look into whether a minutes plan can be used instead. There are few good reasons for them to have one, unless they're going to be working a job or will be away for a good portion of the day and you want them to be able to do errands for you like pick up groceries on their way back.

In a similar vein, there is no point in getting someone a car, unless they can at least pay the monthly insurance on it. Cars are a pain in the ass to own because it depreciates so much and you have to take good care of it with oil changes and etc. to be able to expect it to be reliable for 10 to 20 years. New tires and everything else will cost you over the long term.

You save a ton of money if you're able to avoid owning a car, but this is not very practical if you absolutely need one to get somewhere that's too far away fast enough.

[Aaaaaa]

Coming back, I'm surprised by the number of answers that give an age in the teens. By 6th grade, most kids have phones (at least where I am). I think that most kids should get a phone in elementary school. What's the reasoning for those answers?

Elementary? You pulling my leg mate?

I'm honestly surprised that many of the answers are into the teens too, but I was expecting them to be in the 16-18 or >18 range. I just cannot understand the need for these kids to have these phones. I'm 21 and I don't even have one. I've seen first hand what phone addiction does to someone I know very well and how drastically one's behavior can change when there's no limit to how much usage these things get. Not to mention how exacerbated it becomes when these little shits are talking smack about eachother on Instragram and Snapchat, but I admit that's more of a question of which head to cut off, so to speak. I know I'm sounding like a cranky old man but this is just my personal experience with these things. Personally I say just get your kids a laptop or computer or something they can only use at home. Hell, the laptop I'm typing on is 18 years old and it works fine.. more or less.

If I ever have kids they can get a phone once they've made enough through their own income to afford one, or if they can demonstrate that they can save up on allowance without blowing it on stupid shit, and even then there's an age limit of around 16 or 17.

[The Huskar Social Union]

Eh probably about 14-15, seems like a reasonable age, not too young, old enough to need one in the modern world for contact etc just make sure family settings and stuff are enabled for apps and what not, especialyl if you give them one at a younger age. Depends on the child and family more than anything i would imagine.

Face it, though. Any person with a random age no matter how young it may be may have accidental exposure to porn coming up in their feed as long as they have a phone.

"Accidental" exposure to porn in the case of teens. Yeah. Sure.

"Oh you dont understand! It was horrible! So horrible! I didnt want to look at her bosom, i didnt search for it! I didnt want it! But then it was there and i did look at it! Take this vile machine away from me lest it befoul my eyes accidentally again!"

[Heloin]

My children will have BlackBerries from the day they are born.

BlackBerries? Why, do you hate them already?

[Diopolis]

In the teens, although the exact age depends on the child.

[Lanoraie II]

I think there should be phones made for young children that don't allow access to social media, but do allow for texting and listening to music, and have safety features that are easy for a young child to understand. In Japan, most young kids have these alarms that are on their clothes/backpacks that they can pull if they don't feel safe. Maybe something like that with added 911 access. (Of course, you'd have to teach your kid not to mess around with that. It can be done but I don't trust most parents to be responsible. Thankfully most kids by the time they're 8 know not to call 911 unless it's an emergency.)

Edit: I should have googled this first, but apparently they do exist, in the forms of watches. Which is even better because then they're less likely to drop them or damage them in some other way. Very smart! I know what I'm getting my kiddos.

[Scomagia]

I think there should be phones made for young children that don't allow access to social media, but do allow for texting and listening to music, and have safety features that are easy for a young child to understand. In Japan, most young kids have these alarms that are on their clothes/backpacks that they can pull if they don't feel safe. Maybe something like that with added 911 access. (Of course, you'd have to teach your kid not to mess around with that. It can be done but I don't trust most parents to be responsible. Thankfully most kids by the time they're 8 know not to call 911 unless it's an emergency.)

Edit: I should have googled this first, but apparently they do exist, in the forms of watches. Which is even better because then they're less likely to drop them or damage them in some other way. Very smart! I know what I'm getting my kiddos.

Sounds like a good way to waste police resources and create weak, dependent children. Pass.

[Ethereal Dichotomy Island]

In my opinion, phones should be given to children at the age of 6-7, when they enter Grade 1. Not necessarily smartphones, but phones that can call their parents. Something like a Nokia 3310. Then they are allowed smartphones when they can afford one, after 18. That’s because that’s when they are past basic schooling, and should be mature enough to handle the amount of usage on the phone.

They can borrow laptops for projects, but like someone already commented here, in a place where parents can supervise their child and not in a private area where the child may see things they’re not ready for yet.

I don't get this attitude. I got a laptop aged 6, I think I'm fine rn.

If you get it early, then you should be more mature early on in the Net and don't become a dumb@$$ that plays Fortnite every milisecond

[Greater vakolicci haven]

All of it, really, every point you made. You propose that children shouldn't have phones until a very high age, and you also proposed that they shouldn't have access to them in the home...especially mealtimes (?).

A quick look at the increasing rates of psychological distress from overuse of social media should make the first condition pretty obvious.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source= ... 9372687869

Yes, kids shouldn't be dicking around on their phones when their actual family is physically in their presence at a time for familial interaction.

psychological distress are outlying cases, the vast majority of kids use social media in order to communicate with friends...what it's for, in fact.

The second point is odd, even when I got my first phone, if it beeped I wanted to know why it beeped; unless I'm somewhere I can't (in a meeting, at a cinema, in a lecture) I still do that. So does my Dad, it's natural to want to know who wants to get in touch with you. Your ideas would create socialy isolated kids.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

I think there should be phones made for young children that don't allow access to social media, but do allow for texting and listening to music, and have safety features that are easy for a young child to understand. In Japan, most young kids have these alarms that are on their clothes/backpacks that they can pull if they don't feel safe. Maybe something like that with added 911 access. (Of course, you'd have to teach your kid not to mess around with that. It can be done but I don't trust most parents to be responsible. Thankfully most kids by the time they're 8 know not to call 911 unless it's an emergency.)

Edit: I should have googled this first, but apparently they do exist, in the forms of watches. Which is even better because then they're less likely to drop them or damage them in some other way. Very smart! I know what I'm getting my kiddos.

Sounds like a good way to waste police resources and create weak, dependent children. Pass.

• doesn't want to create weak children
• wants to insulate them from the grave dangers of the internet

Error 5548: something does not compute. Please adjust data entry.

[Scomagia]

A quick look at the increasing rates of psychological distress from overuse of social media should make the first condition pretty obvious.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source= ... 9372687869

Yes, kids shouldn't be dicking around on their phones when their actual family is physically in their presence at a time for familial interaction.

psychological distress are outlying cases, the vast majority of kids use social media in order to communicate with friends...what it's for, in fact.

The second point is odd, even when I got my first phone, if it beeped I wanted to know why it beeped; unless I'm somewhere I can't (in a meeting, at a cinema, in a lecture) I still do that. So does my Dad, it's natural to want to know who wants to get in touch with you. Your ideas would create socialy isolated kids.

Define "outlier". Depression and suicide in teens has risen noticeably since the proliferation of social media. It isn't a mere fringe issue. Don't lie.

It's disrespectful to divert your attention from people you are actually talking to in order to fuck off on your phone. And honestly, your dad...yeah, nevermind.

And no, it wouldn't create socially isolated kids. Don't lie.

[Scomagia]

Sounds like a good way to waste police resources and create weak, dependent children. Pass.

• doesn't want to create weak children
• wants to insulate them from the grave dangers of the internet

Error 5548: something does not compute. Please adjust data entry.

I never said that. You have a real problem with lying.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

psychological distress are outlying cases, the vast majority of kids use social media in order to communicate with friends...what it's for, in fact.

The second point is odd, even when I got my first phone, if it beeped I wanted to know why it beeped; unless I'm somewhere I can't (in a meeting, at a cinema, in a lecture) I still do that. So does my Dad, it's natural to want to know who wants to get in touch with you. Your ideas would create socialy isolated kids.

Define "outlier". Depression and suicide in teens has risen noticeably since the proliferation of social media. It isn't a mere fringe issue. Don't lie.

It's disrespectful to divert your attention from people you are actually talking to in order to fuck off on your phone. And honestly, your dad...yeah, nevermind.

And no, it wouldn't create socially isolated kids. Don't lie.

How does depriving your child of the ability to communicate with friends, something that other kids take for granted, not lead to social isolation? They'll miss out on so much interaction, they won't be able to make plans, they'll be that kid that might be great to hang out with but you can never get in contact with; kids have pretty short attention spans, soon friends will move on and the opurtunity is lost. Or you could just give them a phone, at the tiny risk they'll be one of the few kids who developed depression or anxiety as a result of using social media, something which could be fixed by encouraging them to be open with you about any bullying they face and actually taking an interest in what is going on in their lives.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

• doesn't want to create weak children
• wants to insulate them from the grave dangers of the internet

Error 5548: something does not compute. Please adjust data entry.

I never said that. You have a real problem with lying.

The post you enitially replied to stated that giving kids the ability to contact 911 would create weak and over-dependant children (which it wouldn't.) You are also so scared of your kids being part of the tiny minority that develops depression from social media use that you wish to protect them from that major aspect of life, social media: therefore making them weaker when they finally do get internet access and thus less able to cope with it.

[Scomagia]

I never said that. You have a real problem with lying.

The post you enitially replied to stated that giving kids the ability to contact 911 would create weak and over-dependant children (which it wouldn't.) You are also so scared of your kids being part of the tiny minority that develops depression from social media use that you wish to protect them from that major aspect of life, social media: therefore making them weaker when they finally do get internet access and thus less able to cope with it.

Sugar, can you point to where I said they shouldn't be able to use social media? No? Yeah, that's because I didn't say that or anything like it.