What a Parent Should Know Before Giving a Kid a Smartphone

"It depends..."

I know this seems like a cop out answer, but if you keep reading I promise you I will convince you that it is the right one.

Gut Check Time: Can Your Child…

• … be responsible?
• …do chores without being asked?
• …carry on a conversation while looking at the person?
• …keep their rooms clean?
• …get good grades?
• ….make friends?
• …keep themselves occupied without using electronics?

A child’s mind is literally an information and social habit sponge. I remember when our family moved to Germany when I was nine. I learned to speak the new language in 2.5 months! Those first years are absolutely crucial to developing their intellect, their personality, their motor and social skills. If we allow an electronic device to interfere with that development, we are NOT doing our jobs as parents.
Use Devices TogetherI am NOT anti-tech, but I am pro-human-interaction, and definitely pro-tech-balance. Parents need to be the technology leaders in their homes. How are your tech-habits? You can’t expect your child to stay off their device if you can’t.
If your child cannot do a lot of what is on that list, I would strongly recommend a large box of Legos and lots of play dates with the kids down the street, before getting a device.

Gut Check Part 2: Parents are you ready…?

• …to learn about your child’s digital world and stay up to date with new technology (we can help you with that:click here )
• …to learn a new language:texting. Do you know what LMK, NVM, STFU. IKR, LH6, CD9, 1174 mean? Don’t worry I’ll write another blog about that.
• …for your children to be exposed to the most violent, degrading, fringe sexual content ever created. ?
• …for your children to be responsible for $700 dollars worth of electronics?
• …for your children to be exposed to what 3.5 billion people (number of people on the internet) have to say or show about ANYTHING?
• …are you ready to install filters or accountability apps on EVERYBODY’S devices. Click here for a list We teach our audiences how to create family-centric internet safety plans, not child-centric.
• …to have some difficult conversations about what your kids are doing, reading, and seeing online? We need to talk to our kids about boundaries and healthy ways to use technology. It is not a matter of if they will see pornography online, it is only a matter of when. Do you know what to say? (we can help with that too)

In Conclusion: it really does depend…

I hope you now understand my elusive answer I gave at the beginning of this blog: it really does depend. It depends on the child, and it depends on the parents and grandparents. We cannot simply hand over an internet capable device (that includes GAME CONSOLES!) without asking ourselves the questions listed above. Are they ready? Are you ready?

I know some 10 year olds that are ready; I also know some 22 years olds that are not.
Age isn’t a determining factor as much as responsibility, character, hobbies, maturity, behavior, and dependability.