Should children have iPhones?

[piichinu]

no, i really don't think kids should be exposed to their own devices or video games until they're older. i mean that's how i grew up and instead i had to read since i wasn't allowed to do anything else so I definitely think my brain function improved in the long run
but if ur going for that then u also need to be willing to give them a good diet and actually put in effort which most parents won't do so yea go ahead give them iphones

 

[Twisterheart]

I didn't have a phone until I was 17. I think a child growing dependencies on smart phones is probably going to affect them. It might be wiser to wait until more research comes out on the subject. But, @OP, if smart phones were more popular at the time you were younger, you probably would have had or at least wanted one.

I probably would, but I don't think I would even know that they existed because I was raised as an only child by my grandparents. They were really, really, really behind on the times when I was a kid. I didn't even know video games existed until I was about ten or eleven and only because I befriended someone who had a Nintendo DS. But if I did know, I probably would want one. I doubt I would get one though because my grandparents were strict when I was a kid.

 

[Fantasyrick]

What 3rd grader needs a iPhone 6 who are they texting?? I think you only need a phone if you're 13+ other than that no bc they will either become up lost or cracked.

 

[Elov]

I would buy my kid a flip phone so I could keep in contact with them just in case of an emergency. But no smart phones until the age of 12-13. I remember seeing a group of 5-6 year olds at the mall, and they were all just staring at their iphones instead of having fun with one another and being kids, it was pretty depressing.

 

[Aronthaer]

No. I think that children shouldn't be spoiled and should work for their own things. I'm 15 and I've never even owned a trac-phone. My parents have never bought me anything over $25 unless it was Christmas or a really (insanely) special occasion and it's taught me the value of hard work and diligence in the long run.

 

[teshima]

imo kids should have phones. but like the phones for old people where there's a button to call 911 and a button to call parents. that way, they won't get distracted by it, but they can still use it for emergency purposes. in this day and age tho everyone is connected by the internet so i honestly wouldn't be too against kids having smartphones once they hit their teens. id just hope they were raised to be responsible and sensible.

but iphones suk android ftw

 

[Nightmares]

Only if nessesary, but I'm pretty sure a 5 year old won't need to contact anyone: they're not going to be at home alone, or walk to and from school by themselves, or anything like that, so there's no need.

 

[Nicole.]

I played with toys at that age. Not a phone.

 

[Dim]

Kiddies should just stick with their Batman figures and Barbie dolls!

 

[laurenx]

i could see a flip phone? for phone calls when your at a friends but i don't really see whats necessary about an iPhone when they're gonna want the latest and greatest 6 years later when they'll actually appreciate it t b h

 

[visibleghost]

i got my first phone when i was 8, but it was a flipphone lol. didnt get my first smartphone until i was 12

but honestly idc really if kids have smartphones? i dont think they need them, but it's up to their parents to choose what phone they want their children to have.

i would wish that less 8 yr olds had phones (or computers Lmao) so they wouldnt be on the internet as much because most of them are annoying and cringy af but that's just my personal wish lmao.......

 

[V-drift]

In my honest opinion, no. Kids should not have a phone if under the age of 12 or so unless parents give them a phone that will be for emergency only and they know said son/daughter will handle the phone responsibly and only use it for emergency.

 

[endlesssky]

In primary school, you were "only cool if you had a smart phone", so peer pressure could be playing a part in it

 

[kazaf]

In my honest opinion, no. Kids should not have a phone if under the age of 12 or so unless parents give them a phone that will be for emergency only and they know said son/daughter will handle the phone responsibly and only use it for emergency.

I'd agree too. "Smartphones" have a lot of functions in them. A lot more than fun and games. Children under 10 should not be playing around with smartphones. In my opinion they should be exposed to books, outside games and probably reading in general.

But if parents can limit or teach their kids on how to use a "smartphone" for reading, it should be alright.... right? NO. lols.
If you're using a "smartphone" just for reading, then just get a book. lols. Kinda under-using the smartphone if you ask me.

Anyway, I don't think "smartphones" are bad its just that if you're trying to teach kids English, numeracy or colours or something then there are more kid-specific, brighter coloured tools/toys that can do that. Part of the fun is that they can play around with them, kid-friendly and you don't have to worry about it breaking and costing hundreds of dollars.

I would agree for teenagers to have phones for emergencies or calls. I just don't think a "smartphone" is necessary. Or at least have a smartphone (if you can afford it like bread) but don't use those social apps or games. I think is a bad habit to start young. Smartphones are great, but need to keep the limit on its usage on young children.

But that's just my opinion. End of rant. lols

 

[V-drift]

I'd agree too. "Smartphones" have a lot of functions in them. A lot more than fun and games. Children under 10 should not be playing around with smartphones. In my opinion they should be exposed to books, outside games and probably reading in general.

But if parents can limit or teach their kids on how to use a "smartphone" for reading, it should be alright.... right? NO. lols.
If you're using a "smartphone" just for reading, then just get a book. lols. Kinda under-using the smartphone if you ask me.

Anyway, I don't think "smartphones" are bad its just that if you're trying to teach kids English, numeracy or colours or something then there are more kid-specific, brighter coloured tools/toys that can do that. Part of the fun is that they can play around with them, kid-friendly and you don't have to worry about it breaking and costing hundreds of dollars.

I would agree for teenagers to have phones for emergencies or calls. I just don't think a "smartphone" is necessary. Or at least have a smartphone (if you can afford it like bread) but don't use those social apps or games. I think is a bad habit to start young. Smartphones are great, but need to keep the limit on its usage on young children.

But that's just my opinion. End of rant. lols

I agree pretty much to all of this as well. I mean if we start comparing my cousin who was given a smartphone at the age of 8 years, she was too young. She got sucked into a lot of noneducational games and had quite a behavior in her school from what I hear. Maybe if it was an educational one on how to behave or how to protect her hygiene, then she may have become a much better person. But my cousin... she ended up being quite distracted from what she should have been focused on.

Now myself on the other hand, I should probably stop checking messages every time a teacher leaves the classroom. Be it an emergency or not. Like I have that bad habit to make sure everyone is okay when a message arrives on my cell phone. I may have to follow your advice and uninstall everything that is social app related to concentrate more in studies.

 

[unravel]

It doesn't matter as long as they can take care of it but I do not suggest for them to own iphone because its expensive af

 

[Alienfish]

No they shouldn't especially not like 8 year old people like today? You don't really have to be like your parents you know. Also I mostly grew up with "dumbphones" and I was fine with that, I don't think I had a smart one until I was like 18 or something anyways. But to be honest apps and stuff bore me and I don't get the thing hanging around messenger apps and games all day.

 

[Earth Wolf-Howl]

I don't think so. Children aren't really responsible enough to be given one, I don't think, especially as they're so expensive.

 

[Alienfish]

I don't think so. Children aren't really responsible enough to be given one, I don't think, especially as they're so expensive.

Yeah, this unless the parents actually know how to turn off "in-app purchases".

And people complain children are lazy and getting bad grades lol.

 

[Ayaya]

I'd give them a cheap Android phone that lets them play games and browse Youtube, and maybe one with a good camera so they can take pictures. I wouldn't give them iPhones because giving expensive stuff when they're still young would make them think they deserve having expensive things without working for it.