Kids Smart Phones Pros Cons

Our children have never known a time when they did not have access to a cell phone. Everyone appears to have one, and children are obtaining them at an earlier and earlier age. While being able to communicate with your children is really beneficial, there are some negatives. Smartphones, as well as their monthly costs and a variety of accessories, are costly. And by giving your child a phone, you're not just providing them with a means of communicating via phone or text; you're also providing them with access to the entire world via the Internet. So, should you get a phone for your child?

WE COMPARE THE BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES.

Pro: Knowing where your children are at all times is beneficial. It's never been easier to communicate with your children. It's critical to know where they are, who they're with, when they'll be picked up, and so on.

Con: They don't always answer the phone or respond to SMS messages. "Where are you?" "Where are you?" "Where are you?" "Where are you?" "Where are you?" "Where are you?" "Where are you?" "Where are you?" "Where are Who are you hanging out with? When do you want me to come get you?" (At least not right away.)

Pro: Cell phones are a fantastic way to connect with others. Kids play games together, text one other, and share images to each other. My kids use Snapchat, Instagram, and FaceTiming to communicate with long-distance friends and family. It's a fantastic way to stay in touch between visits.

Con: Cell phones are an excellent method to isolate yourself. I know a lot of youngsters, including my own, who would prefer watch YouTube videos than hang out with their buddies.

Pro: You may communicate with your children during sleepovers and other outings away from home. My daughter was a little apprehensive about her first sleepover. She FaceTimed me from her next-door neighbor's house, where she showed me around her friend's bedroom, let me watch her clean her teeth before bed, and sang to her as she climbed into bed. Thanks to the smart phone, this rite of passage was made a little easier for both of us.

Con: Unless (and even if!) you provide a charger, your youngster may forget to plug in the phone, causing it to die. You're left wondering how the sleepover is going and why you can't contact them.

Pro: Cell phones are an excellent tool for instilling accountability. Phone time might be given as a reward for good behaviour, completed homework, written thank you cards, and so on.

Con: Your children might not be as responsible as you think. My daughter dropped her phone in the water by accident. The pool, to be precise. It couldn't be revived by soaking it in rice. Despite the fact that we had insurance on the phone, my husband and I decided not to acquire her a new one because she had proved that she was incapable of caring for it.

Pro: Kids can be very inventive when it comes to using their phones. My daughter enjoys making musical.ly videos, and my son has his own YouTube blog. They've learned to edit their videos themselves, as well as add music and special effects.

Con: Not every phone will satisfy their requirements. I got both of my kids one of these smartphones when the colourful iPhoneCs were on sale for a $1 (!). The issue is that their storage capacity is quite limited. To their dismay, the amount of apps available for download is extremely limited, and the kids are frequently forced to erase movies and images in order to make room for new projects.

Con: Inappropriate content may be accessed by older children. Or, for that matter, younger ones.

Pro: This is a fantastic chance for "teachable moments." You won't be able to protect your children from everything, but you can teach them that just because an adult YouTuber swears doesn't mean they have to. Or that it's crucial to keep your Instagram account private for safety reasons; never "friend" someone you don't know. Worried? Covenant Eyes, an Internet Accountability Filtering system that tells you exactly what your kids are up to, comes highly recommended by a friend of mine.