Dont Want To Give Your Kid A Smartphone? Here Are Some Alternatives

For most parents, it is a difficult decision whether or not to give their child a smartphone.

With many kids starting to play games on their parents' phones at a young age, buying your own games is quickly becoming a no-brainer.

According to the 2021 study, in 2021, more than two-fifths (42%) of children under the age of 10 have their own phone. Up to 12 years, this figure is 71%; 91% are under 14 years old.

However, this does not mean that you, as a parent, should give up control. By starting the conversation early, you and your child can understand the timeline and expectations of phone ownership, as well as any tests required beforehand.

"Giving your child their first phone is a big moment for many parents and carers and can be used as an important opportunity to talk about when to use it and what to expect," says Will, director of Family Safer Internet UK. Gardner. opposite CNBC Do it!

This is how you can tell if your child is ready

Before deciding whether or not to give your child a smartphone, you need to decide whether or not your child is ready for a smartphone.

Usually, this decision depends on your child's maturity level, not age. So it's helpful to think of some questions or stages of development to guide your answer.

Who should lead the phone ownership conversation, you or your child?
How responsible is your child? Can they be trusted to go about their business and use the phone properly?
How important can a phone be to your child in terms of safety and social development?
How sensitive is your child and how does he respond to criticism?
How comfortable is your child with limits on screen time and social media use?

"Available evidence does not support a specific age when smartphones are recommended or discouraged," said Megan Moreno, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin. "A critical approach is probably the best way to gauge a child's interest and willingness to use the phone."

There are no hard and fast rules for these milestones and they can be set individually as a parent or through open discussion with your child. However, the "Telephone Readiness Survey" launched earlier this year by the American Academy of Pediatrics and telecommunications company AT&T is helping spark the conversation.

Smartphone alternatives

If you decide your child isn't ready for a smartphone, there are several options that can help meet their needs while still being considered a parent.

A simple cell phone or "silent phone" can allow your child to send messages and make calls with little or no access to a computer or the Internet.

For a bit more sophistication, models like the Gab Phone include a camera, GPS, and some apps, while not allowing potentially dangerous features like picture messaging or group messaging.

And a smartwatch can help reduce loss or theft with tools like texting, calling, GPS and some apps, while offering the added benefit of staying connected to your child.

Alternatively, if you don't give your child their own device, you can let them use your phone at certain times or at home, or let them connect to a device you supervise that isn't connected to the Internet. .

If you give your child a phone

Whether you're already letting your child have a phone or considering it as the next step, there are many ways to limit or control usage.

Parental control tools like Bark and Gustudio let you block certain websites while showing warnings about issues like abuse, predators, and sexual content.

Monitoring tools, including built-in screen time tracking apps, can help curb addiction by limiting the time your child spends on certain apps or features.

Most important, however, is to talk to your child about general expectations for phone use and how these may change over time.

"Setting rules and expectations is important," Moreno said, "but reviewing those rules and expectations on a regular basis is just as important and often overlooked."

In the meantime, if you start to notice a change in your child's behavior or if you have cause for concern, be prepared to start a conversation and show that you are there to support.

"When something is wrong and you start to notice a change in your child's behavior, whether they spend more or less time on their device, get nervous after calls, skip school or hang out with their friends, listen to them first. And don't judge them. Make sure you're there to help,” Gardner said.

"Once you know the details, you can decide how to proceed, whether that means getting extra help from the school or the police."