Widespread controversy on what age children should be given phones takes the world by storm.
In “A Child’s First Cellphone: A Guide for Parents” from Brown University, researchers wrote that “in a recent survey, 45 percent of parents report that 12 to 14 is the right age for a smartphone, 16 percent report ages 9 to 11, and 28 percent report ages 15 to 17.”
Teens argue that phones are necessary for their social lives and should be provided with them younger but parents are concerned with the health of their kids if they’re given a phone young.
Jessica Doherty, a parent in Easton with 6 kids aged from 6 to 18, argues that kids should receive a phone realistically in middle school.
“Should and would are different. They should get phones at 16, because phones are so unstudied and probably linked to all kinds of issues. It is irresponsible to hand kids windows to the entire world at a young age,” she said.
But Doherty gave her kids – ages X and X – phones in middle school.
“It is convenient to get a hold of them and because they face social pressures that I understand and am sympathetic to,” she explained. “I try to educate them and supervise as much as possible, much like the Montessori method of having toddlers learn to use knives and breakable dishes.”
While parental views are important, it is also necessary to validate our younger audience. John, a 12 year old in Easton who does not have a phone, believes that 14 is the correct age for a kid to receive a phone.
“Fourteen is probably a good age, because before that I feel like they can just talk in school or ask their parents. Kids shouldn’t be only using their phones to communicate.”
Claire, a 13 year old in Easton who has a phone as of recently, argues a different position than both parents and younger kids.
“I feel like it really depends on the kids, but you should wait until at least 13 because anything earlier than that you’re really not developed enough to be dealing with the effects of the phone and phone addiction.”
Mr. Schussler, a teacher at OA, provides a personal approach as an educator and a parent, arguing for the mental clarity of kids after getting phones.
“Thirteen because a child’s brain is still developing and they will not be able to have proper communication skills if they are not using verbal communication.”
The controversy on the age that kids should be getting phones is becoming a bigger issue as technology advances. With responses ranging from 11 to 16, the age in which a child should get a phone is forever changing.
