Many of us parents are faced with a recurring question: “When is the right time to give my child a smartphone?” In my case, that question was answered when my son turned 16. It was then that I felt he was ready to handle the responsibility that comes with owning such a device. This approach may not work for every parent, but in this article, I will lay out the reasons why I waited until my kid was 16 to give him a smartphone. Here’s the case for that approach.
Smartphone Ownership: A Milestone
Just as my son turned 16, he reached two significant milestones. He acquired his G1 driver’s licence and got his first smartphone. These two events were not simultaneous but were both subject to explicit conditions and rules. For his driver’s license, he had to pass a test and had to drive under adult supervision for at least eight months. As for the smartphone, rules were outlined in a contract that my husband and I drafted. The contract stated we owned the phone, knew the password, would conduct random checks, and had the authority to confiscate the phone if necessary. We made it clear that using the smartphone was a privilege, not a right.
Why Wait Until 16?
Why wait until 16, you might ask? Well, the decision wasn’t made lightly. For years, my son had been asking when he could have a phone. My answer was always the same, “I don’t know, but not yet.” It was my role as a parent to determine the right time for him to have a smartphone. After conducting extensive research, speaking to numerous parents, and considering my own reservations, I decided to wait.
The Expert’s Opinion
My decision was validated when I heard an interview with Dr. Jean Twenge, a social psychology professor at San Diego State University and an expert on the impact of technology on children. Dr. Twenge suggested that getting a smartphone should be on par with getting a driver’s licence, in terms of the level of maturity required to handle it. This made sense to me. A 16-year-old is more capable of making sound decisions and assessing risks than a 14-year-old. Moreover, before 16, a basic phone should suffice for a child’s communications needs.
Benefits of Waiting
Delaying smartphone ownership until 16 also has positive social effects. It encourages teens to engage in face-to-face interactions, which are healthier than online ones. It also reduces exposure to harmful social media content, as using a computer is less convenient than a phone-based app. Research indicates that the longer a youngster waits before getting their first smartphone, the better their long-term mental health outcomes will be, especially for girls.
Final Thoughts
Setting the right age for smartphone ownership is tricky. While most researchers refrain from giving specific advice, preferring to say, “Every child is different,” I agree with Dr. Twenge’s approach. With many societal practices, we set an age limit and stick to it. My son has thus far handled his smartphone responsibly. I remain vigilant, modeling good habits and reminding him of the device’s power. Although he hasn’t said it yet, I am glad we waited. Sixteen arrives before you know it.
Katherine Johnson Martinko is a Canadian writer and the author of the upcoming book “Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance.” She writes about digital minimalism, parenting, and technology in her e-mail newsletter, The Analog Family.
