smartphones

[bob1985]

If you’ve given or plan to give your under 12 a smartphone i’m curious to know the reason why?

No judgement, respect each families right to choose what’s best but as a group of parents we’re setting up a group to promote the delay of giving smartphones to young kids. I’m interested to know what reasons might have for doing it?

Both my DC’s got phones for their 11th birthday as this coincided with them starting to walk home from school. I wanted them to let me know when they’d set off and to be able to call if they had any worries walking home.

My DD did not long after as some girls were being mean to her in the park they cut through on the way home. She was very upset so I went to collect her.

They were both pretty much the last kids in their class to get a phone and they let us know regularly! But I waited until there was a need for them.

Thanks for the reply!

@FidosMum84 was there a particular reason you went down the smartphone route ? rather than non smartphone or gps watch that can make calls?

Im wondering if there’s a lack of awareness of alternatives or if parents rule them out for some reason

i’m a bit worried about DD ‘missing’ out for example if everyone has one

Yes your DD will be missing out. On groups on WhatsApp they get added into sharing offensive messages, snapstreaks which are a nightmare as soon as she’s in an area without signal. On hacking the parental controls I took ages to set up, and the constant peer pressure to post on TikTok. It’s a minefield!

A lot of their positive friendship's take place online after school as well though. And in high school where we are they need a smartphone for their apps they use for homework and in lessons. It’s not as easy on her tablet or laptop as the interface is different.

My first DC got a basic model that was constantly having the screen broken, but we upgraded when they were older and could take care of a phone. My youngest got a smartphone straight away as we knew she’d need it for school.

It really is!

It’s a definite no until high school for us I think. But lots seem to have them sooner.