Getting a phone is often viewed as a momentous occasion. It’s part of the transition into teenage years that many children eagerly await. The debate surrounding what age children should get phones has always been controversial. With social media and technology being linked to addiction and exposure to dangerous images, many parents push back on their kids’ desires to get phones, leaving the acceptable age for this important transition unresolved.
Studies show that one in four children receive their own phones before the age of eight. Still, many parents are concerned about their children being exposed to inappropriate content at a young age. 73% of parents expressed concern for their children being exposed to sexual adult material. And, instances like that can be common. 45% of children ages eight to seventeen say they have encountered inappropriate content that they found to be worrying. Owning a phone at a young age also increases the likelihood of physical and mental health issues compared to those without smartphones.
The correct age for a child to receive a phone varies from person to person. There’s no right or wrong answer. The choice depends on an individual’s own situation, personality, and their parents’ opinions. Here are students’ experiences regarding when they got their first phone and when they think others should get theirs.
Freshman Kayla Romeyn, who got her first phone at 8 years old, says that having a phone at a younger age was helpful for her living situation. With divorced parents, she could stay connected with both her mother and father. “My dad was able to track me when I was at my mom’s, and my mom was able to track me while at my dad’s. If I felt sad, I could just communicate with both of them, so that’s better,” she said. Romeyn also emphasized the importance of communication, even when you are younger. “I feel like ten is a good age to get a phone because it’s not too young but obviously not grown, and children must be able to communicate with their parents,” she added.
Some students comment on the addictive nature of the internet as a reason for students to get their first phones later. Sophomore Bryan Martinez, for example, believes that attaining a phone at a young age can lead to a constant need to be online. “[Kids should get a phone] around 12 because they can get an addiction to a phone and they’ll just be on their phone a lot and depend on it too much,” Martinez said.
Junior Adam Tjernlund believes that his social interactions have halted since he got his phone at 12, which he greatly regrets. His concerns revolve around the belief that children will not spend enough time socializing in person if they get a phone at a young age. “I think kids should get a phone around 15 or 16 because it gives them a chance to not be excluded, but also gives them the chance to develop real social skills,” Tjernlund said.
Some say that getting a phone at a young age can be dangerous, as children are more impressionable and can change their beliefs or habits based on what they’re exposed to online. “I got a phone when I was eight, which was pretty young. [That was not a good decision] because I think I got influenced by a lot of things that I saw. My parents didn’t really know much about technology, so they didn’t have any restrictions put on my phone,” junior Sabrina Guerrero said. “Children should get a phone at the end of middle school because they are more responsible.”
Others shared that getting a phone later on can make children feel isolated from their peers.“I got a phone at 12, and I don’t think that was a good decision because I should’ve gotten it earlier. I was very disconnected from my friends because they all got a phone before me, and I also had no sense of humor,” sophomore Augustin Mille said.
Freshman Charles Salas believes that having a phone when you are younger makes getting in touch with people much easier and helps people stay connected with others. “I got a phone when I was eleven years old, and I think that was a very good choice because when I wanted to hang out with my friends, I just told my family and didn’t have to bother with using somebody else’s phone,” Salas said. “I think 10 or 11is the perfect age for kids to get a phone.”
Freshman Audrianna Lelei believes that phones play a big part in making communication easier for children. “I got my phone at 10 years old. That worked for me because I walked home and needed to tell my parents where I was. I think 10 is a good age [to get a phone] because they need to communicate with their parents, especially if they get lost,” Lelei said.
A concern with having access to technology at an early age is that it can cause distraction that can divert children’s attention away from things that are more important. Freshman Justice Toilolo shares this view. “[My phone] really messed up my mind. I was always distracted and was always getting my phone taken away,” Toilolo said. “Kids should get a phone at the beginning of high school because that’s when they show maturity,” he added.
