Our Children Demand Cellphones. But at What Age? And at What Cost?
Summary
The author considers whether to give her nine-year-old daughter a phone number, noting that parents differ on when children are ready. Parents cited safety and communication needs, while many worried about social media; the author distinguishes basic phone access from access to social platforms.Key Facts
- The author says her daughter already uses an old cellphone for age-appropriate games but cannot make calls.
- The daughter asked for a phone number on her Christmas wish list.
- Parents who responded to the author's Facebook question described giving phones in fourth or fifth grade, in middle school, or closer to high school.
- Some parents said phones help children communicate during shared custody, extracurricular activities, or trips home from school.
- The author reports that many parents were more concerned about social media than basic phone communication.
- The author describes her daughter as organized and says she supervises the child's use of Messenger Kids and manages her contacts.
- The article notes that Texas generally restricts students' use of personal communication devices during the school day, but the provided text ends before explaining the exceptions.
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