But does anyone know what is the right age for kids to own a smartphone? All parents are seeking answers to this question. The pandemic had an adverse effect on kids as they spent most of their time using the phone and not being productive or less productive. Common Sense Media shared a report which stated that the use of the screen for teens and tweens has grown immensely by 17%.
Phone or no phone for kids?
NBC Senior National Correspondent Kate Snow reported that several parents feel pressured for their kid’s security. They want to make sure that their kids are “keeping up” with their peers, having a conversation with them, and having a smartphone for their safety reasons. Whereas Adriana Stacey who is a psychiatrist and mom of four has already seen the effects of screen time and is strictly against handing over the smartphones to kids and is holding firm: “No smartphones for kids.” Stacey in a statement said that though her decision and point of view on ‘no smartphones for kids’ might be isolating but there is a growing movement that she might not be alone for long. Another movement called “Wait Until 8th” was started to encourage parents to wait until their kids get into 8th grade to provide them with smartphones. This movement network is 40,000 families strong and they have already seen a 25% increase in participation in the last year alone. Also read: How Can Smartphones Help You To Limit Your Screen Time?
Smartphones have some positive effects on kids
Various studies suggest, that even though screen time has affected the mental health, behaviour, and academic performance of kids, but smartphones have also improved the connection of friendships of many kids. Dr. Jean Twenge professor of psychology at San Diego State University told Kate Snow that we all are living in a big social experiment where smartphones have taken over everything. He also added that in effect, they are experimenting with their brains, so it’s better to provide them with a smartphone and see what happens.
