Kids, at the very earliest, should receive a cellphone between the ages of 11-12 years old. With this, when the kids do receive the phone, they should either have a strict screen–time limits or no cell service

When a kid acquires a phone far too early, it proves to be a major problem in many different ways. For some kids, the problem is the fact that phones are far too addictive for them. While for others, it could be the negative impact of social media. And for some kids, such phones could prove to be bad on their body, such places like the eyes.

Modern phones are so advanced that almost anything we can imagine can be done on them. Such a device, when first given to a child would cause the kid to be curious. This could take up grand parts of their time, which could potentially lead to neglect on other parts. This could negatively impact more important aspects of a child’s life, such as school, sleep, or even social interactions with others. Dr. Hoagland, a doctor from the Baptist Health Louisville said, “Cell phones will further delay an adolescent’s sleeping phase… The moment someone gets on a cell phone, they are… preventing their cortisol levels from… declining because they are becoming stimulated by the phone itself…” What this means is that when a child/adolescent gets on a phone at night it can cause them to get less sleep than they are suppose to get. Children already get three-four hours less than required sleep and with a newly introduced phone their six-seven hour sleep can eventually drop to maybe one four-five hours. Such skills stated above are necessary for a child’s future. However, if spent mostly on screens, their future may prove to be more difficult.

Social media is another grand issue regarding phones. With how far social media has come, it should not come as a shocker how such kids — at ages as small as 7 — are already on and used to social media. Social media apps, such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, though are very useful and great tools that could assist in learning and many others, are also an app of hate. Apps such as Instagram could lead to low self esteem in girls and boys or even promote bodily hate. This all can impact a growing child’s mind grandly in a not so positive way.

Giving a phone too late might cause one’s child to feel left out when all their peers have a phone, but handing out one too early also poses a strong problem. The very best time to hand a phone out is at the start of middle school, right when kids start becoming more independent. Giving our child an iPad or other larger screen displays before the ages of middle school might prove to be useful. This way they can get used to a screen and eventually not be as excited by this shining screen. This way when the more important years of school starts, and they finally acquire their first cellphone, they can efficiently use their devices efficiently as tools, not as controlling influences.