The Dilemma of Smartphones and Social Media for Kids
As we all know, some of these kids are computer-oriented right from the womb, making it difficult to prevent them from using smartphones. However, regularization can be established to monitor the use and potential abuse of owning a smartphone or social media accounts.
During my upbringing, technology was far away from us. I started using mobile phones in 2004, not that I owned one myself, but we would visit phone booths to make calls with money. Mobile phones were not rampant then; not now that they have now become a must-use for everyone.
Nowadays, we hand our phones to toddlers to keep them occupied or distracted. I live in a place where electricity is an issue, I download cartoons on my phone to keep them busy. However, as they grow older, I set limits. My kids have access to my phone, but only for games or to research assignments; everything else is off-limits. This is because I don't want them to cross boundaries or become addicted to online content.
The ideal age for kids to have smartphones or social accounts depends on the individual, but age and maturity should certainly be considered. We need to guide them on the responsible use of technology, self-regulation skills, online safety, and so on. If all parents can do the needful, then the world will be safer for them.
Recently, my daughter requested a smartphone for her birthday. When I asked why she wanted one, she said all her classmates were using them and that she needed one because she was no longer a baby. I told her not to rush, emphasizing that there is a time for everything. I explained the distractions and negative impacts it could have on her studies right now. I mentioned that we could consider it at age 13, but that it would be monitored by both Mum and Dad. She laughed and asked why we needed to monitor her. I explained that the internet is not safe for anyone, especially kids and that we need to filter content to ensure she understands online safety and responsibility.
So many of our children are now addicted to using a phone, they are in a rush and if they see no means to get one, they start having male lovers all because of phones and when they do, they go to social media to start watching nude contents that are not suitable for their age and before you know it, they are all over the Internet posting nonsense. There was a girl caught up in the act, riding her classmates during an excursion last year or two years ago and when she was questioned, she said she learned the styles from social media and that was Tiktok🤔 a thirteen-year-old girl performing twosome🥲
For me, giving kids a phone at an early age is a definite no-go area. I don't support that idea, and I won't use technology as a way to pamper my children.
This is my response to the #hivelearners community contest on the topic: Smartphone Age
The image is sourced
There is time for everything.. and the monitoring is really what matters. No lie. But if we don’t let them know the merit and demerits of it just like you did to your daughter. Then they will surely go and learn it from other places.. you have done well with your decision. And I pray she gets to understand you even better.
You can say that again and that's one thing we should not neglect as parents.
Thanks for stopping by, our own city emperor 🤣
Oooh. I am now a celebrity 😂 😂.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I agree with you, we need to guide children about responsible use of technology
Exactly!
Numerous benefits are attached same way the danger embedded in it can not be overlooked 👌
I totally agree with you.
The children out of curiosity go to site they are not supposed to go and this can cause damage for them.
Thanks for agreeing with me.
If we are not ready to guide, we should not give them because it is too dangerous fo their innocent mind 👌
Gracias por compartir tu experiencia, me sentí muy identificada como mamá. Hoy en día, criar en el mundo digital es un verdadero acto de presencia y conciencia. Estoy de acuerdo contigo en que no se trata solo de dar o no un teléfono, sino de acompañarlos en el uso y enseñarles a tener criterio.
Yo también creo que es importante no encapsularlos ni criarlos desde el miedo, sino mostrarles que internet es una ventana inmensa: hay mucha información útil, inspiradora, educativa… pero también hay personas que engañan, manipulan o comparten contenido que puede confundir o dañar.
Por eso, más que prohibir, en casa hemos elegido conversar mucho, poner límites claros y ayudarles a desarrollar ese filtro interno que les permita elegir qué contenido quedarse y qué descartar. Gracias por traer este tema tan necesario.
I completely agree! I will take it to heart in finding a balance between protection and education, teaching them to navigate the digital world responsibly, and fostering critical thinking skills. By setting clear limits and having open conversations, we can help our kids develop the skills they need to thrive online.
Thank you!
I perfectly understand your concerns with your daughter, and it seems to me that you have taken a good decision. Children and adolescents have to be educated and gradually giving them access to things, so that they value what they receive and thus better understanding rewards and risks.
You're right, educating children and gradually giving them access to things helps them value what they receive and understand the associated rewards and risks.
Thank you!
I think 13 years is the ideal age, some expert suggest that number and I see no point we put ourselves as smarter ones than those experts, then choose our own numbers.
Experts can suggest a certain, but it all depends on the individuals.
Thanks for reading 😍