CELL PHONES FOR CHILDREN? MAYBE, PROBABLY, NOT!

CELL PHONES & CHILDREN
When is it okay to give your kid a phone?

The mobile phone has revolutionized our world. From simply making a call or sending a text message to chatting with Artificial Intelligence, phones can do just about anything. My phone has four cameras, GPS, internet service, and dozens of things I’m not even aware of.

There are two different kinds of mobile phones out there; smart phones and dumb phones. A smart phone like mine is capable of doing so many things. A dumb phone like my aging neighbor’s ‘flip phone’ is good for phone calls, text messaging, and even has a simple camera … that’s all.

So, when do we give our kids a mobile phone? Different kids mature at different speeds and some 10-year-olds might be more mature than their 12-year-old friends. Likewise there are some 14-year-olds out there who are not as mature as most 10-year-olds. Here is where today’s show begins:

In today’s digital world, children are vulnerable as never before. Online predators are forever sweeping through the world wide web looking for children to prey upon. This is where my worry about smart phones in the hands of kids comes into play. My belief is that when a child is 16 or so, [that’s a big ‘or so’] it’s time to wean him off of the flip phone onto a smart phone.

Yes, you heard me right; flip phones for the younger ones. A phone gives your child a safety net, a way to call for a ride or to call 911 for any unforeseen incident. A ‘1st Phone’ is a reward, a way of telling your kid that you trust him. It’s a reward that tells your kid he’s on his way. It tells him you think he’s growing up … but not too fast.

For instance, I would NEVER give a smart phone to an 8-year-old, no matter how ‘grown up’ this kid might think he is. The most basic of phones provides 911, phone calling, text messaging, and even have rudimentary camera on board. It’s this most basic of phones I would give to my kid as a ‘1st Phone’. Like a bike with training wheels, it will help him gain mastery of and respect for his mobile phone.

I’m not going to get into the many millions of ways a kid can get into trouble with a smart phone. Hell, I’m not going to get into the millions of ways an adult can get into trouble with a mobile phone.

The mobile phone is a two-edged sword and its ability to invite or to inflict horror and damage can’t possibly be understated. Would you buy your 8-year-old a Motoguzzi Racing Motorcycle? Of course not! How about giving your 16-year-old a new Corvette? Nah!

I’m not here to pass judgment, but to give advice on the Max Allen “Take it or leave it.” basis. No, I’m not judging anyone out there openly, but you know who you are.

I’m Max, and that’s the way I see it!