There is no real way to determine what the best age to give our children a smartphone is, but since we are living in very unsafe times, it is convenient to give them one if they are 10 to 13 years old, because this is a very useful resource to communicate with them at any time.
It is not hard to teach children how to act with responsibility and sanity. That way, they’ll learn how to make the decisions that will shape their character and respect the moments they are allowed to use their smartphones. They will also be able to show you that you can trust them.
Doctor Wendy Sue Swanson, who is part of the center of social media of May Clinic, and graduated in Medicine with a master’s degree in bioethics in the Medicine School of the University of Pennsylvania, suggests that the right age to give them their first phone is between 11 and 13.
You should control the apps your child has on his phone. That way, you will know they have no access to inappropriate content for their age, and you are also able to check what websites they visited. We have to tell them that what they’ve been given is not a toy, but a tool to help them in case of an emergency instead. And it must not interfere with their activities, the way they should behave and the way they communicate with their friends.
Make them understand that they must not put personal information into them, because if it ends up in the wrong hands, no personal information will be at risk. Also tell them that any other kind of sensitive information must not be stored on them, and that social network accounts must be private, and only friends and family should be able to access them. They will slowly learn how to take care of themselves and others. Remember to be precautious all the time.
Some experts in pedagogy support the idea of giving technology to our children, because it encourages curiosity and unconsciously stimulates them to learn new things. Computers made a whole generation of children learn the world of computing.
It is certainly possible that at an early age instead of being beneficial, these devices might end up being a great problem, but this is about allowing them to grow independently, preparing them for life and a world that is constantly changing with new and more powerful technologies. Make them understand that if they do not follow your rules, the use of these devices will be restricted. You don’t have to worry, because your motherly instinct will tell you what the right time is to give your child a phone.
ALFA