When you were growing up, there were certain rights of passage for you. As a kid, growing breasts and being able to stay up past curfew were things that young girls couldn’t wait to happen… it was almost a right of passage. But with the advancements in technology today, the average kid’s right of passage looks a little different. Sure, girls can’t wait to “fill” their shirts and boys can’t wait until they get a little more freedom but the ultimate right of passage for kids today is getting their very own cell phone.
As a parent, this can be one of the scariest things to have to think about. Not because you think your kids won’t take care of it but because it means your kids are growing up… it’s bittersweet but very necessary.
If you look at how you were raised versus how you’re raising your kids today, you see how different it was then to how it is today. In today’s day and age, technology is all around us and as a parent, setting and maintaining acceptable boundaries around technology is a parental responsibility that parents didn’t have to worry about 30 years ago. In setting and maintaining those boundaries, the biggest consideration is determining the right age to give your child their very own cell phone.
Is There Really a “Right Age?”
When kids hit a certain age, they’re going to be adamant about getting their own cell phone and it’s going to be up to you to say yes or no. If you really think about it, your kid asking for a cell phone shouldn’t come as such a shock to you. How many times have you went to the toy section of the store and seen toy cell phones for babies and toddlers? You see them all the time!
Now, those toy cell phones might make cow sounds when you push the number five but nonetheless, kids have been exposed to cell phones for quite some time now so you can’t really blame them for wanting a real one when they get older… the dilemma you’re facing is the right age to give your kid one.
Well, according to childmind.org, giving your child a cell phone isn’t just about their age… it’s about their level of maturity too. Typically once your kid hits the “tween” ages, that’s when they’re going to really want a cell phone but just because they’re of tween age, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ready for a cell phone. You have to look at their behavior and see if they’re responsible and making smart life decisions… peer pressure is all around them and it’s okay if you want to wait and see if they’ll even appreciate it.
When You’re Ready…
As a parent, you’re not going to be able to escape giving your kid a cell phone. In fact, in today’s world, as sad as it is to say, your kid needs a cell phone, especially if they’re an athlete, but kids, in general, need cell phones. It’s actually not safe for them to be without one once they hit a certain age and maturity level.
But when you finally decide to give your kid their own cell phone, there are some rules you can put in place to make you feel a little better about it.
Rule #1: They won’t be getting a brand new phone
At this point, your child has never had a real responsibility like taking care of a cell phone so they’re definitely not going to get a brand new one but because your child is a tween, you still want to get them a nice phone… you’re just not going to pay thousands of dollars for it.
At Glyde, you can shop premium pre-owned Apple iPhones that are in like-new condition and not break the bank. Your kid will love you for the phone whether it’s new or pre-owned.
Rule #2: You will know any and all passwords to their phone and social media accounts
Having their passwords is going to make them more aware of their behaviors on their phone and the fact that you can check their phone whenever you want will help them to make smart decisions while using their phone. Also, let them know there will be consequences if you see that they’re using their phone inappropriately.
Rule #3: There will be a tracker on their phone
You can’t be with your kids all the time but as a safety measure, you want to download a tracking app to their phone just so you can at least know where they are when they’re not in your presence… that’s not being nosey, it’s called being a concerned parent.
Rule #4: Screen time will be limited
Setting limitations on screen time is not something to be taken so lightly. Various studies have shown that Americans spend an average of five hours a day on mobile devices… if you don’t want your kid spending that much time on their phone, then you’re going to have to set limitations on their screen time. Is it going to upset them? Probably so, but you also have to remind them that there are kids that don’t have cell phones at all, so screen time limitations are the least of their problems… their life won’t be ruined because of it.
Parenting is tough… but you’re doing great!