When You Should Buy Your Child a Mobile

A recent Pew survey showed that 78% of 12- to 17-year-olds have mobile phones, and 47% of those devices are smartphones. However, parents still struggle with the questions of when to give their child a phone and how to keep some control over how it is used. I have to say this is a question on my mind. My oldest is only 8, but she is quickly getting old enough to start asking me for her own phone. Here are some questions for you to ask yourself:

• How independent are your kids?
• Do your children “need” to be in touch for safety reasons — or social ones?
• How responsible are they?
• Can they get behind the concept of limits for minutes talked and apps downloaded?
• Can they be trusted not to text during class, disturb others with their conversations and to use the text, photo and video functions responsibly (and not to embarrass or harass others)?
• Do they really need a smartphone that is also their music device, a portable movie/game player and portal to the Internet?
• Do they need something that gives their location information to their friends — and maybe some strangers, too — as some of the new apps allow?
• And, do you want to add all the expense of new data plans? (Try keeping your temper when they announce that they drop their phone…)

Remember that the day you hand your child a phone, you’re giving them powerful communications and production tools. They can create text, images and videos that can be widely distributed and uploaded to websites. They can broadcast their status and their location. They can download just about everything in the world. Pay attention to your child’s ability to use technology wisely.

Lastly, remember that you are the parent, and if you are unsure, it is absolutely okay to say “no, not yet.” You know your family dynamics the best and in the end, it is better to research and wait than to rush into a life-changing decision.