Local Mom Scoop has been on a 4-week journey partnering with Verizon trying to decide what is the right age to give your child a smartphone.
I partnered with Verizon and other mom bloggers to discuss if your child is ready for a smartphone, the benefits of giving your child a cell phone and how Verizon is giving parents peace of mind with their Just Kids Plan #JustKidsPlan.
This subject is incredibly important, especially to me, because my daughter is asking for a phone as she enters middle school this year. It’s been a definite “NO” up until now.
After posting on my Instagram, it was amazing to see the comments from other parents on this topic. You can see the posts below and join the discussion.
Get The Scoop On What Is The Right Age To Give Your Child A Smartphone
WEEK 1 – What is the right age to give your child a smartphone?
It can be a daunting (difficult, complex) process starting with when is the right time? Which device is best? How to manage filters and parental controls and more.
The journey has created a wonderful discussion. What I’ve learned is that there really is no right age. I think the most common age is 10 years old as I’ve seen with 4th and 5th graders at my own daughter’s school.
Each child is so different when it comes to having a smartphone and so is each family situation.
WEEK 2 – What are the benefits of giving your child a Smartphone?
On Local Mom Scoop Instagram page, I’ve been able to create a dialogue about the benefits of giving your child a smartphone. After much discussion, I came up with 3 benefits for giving your child a smartphone.
Location
Knowing the location of your child is an important one for example after school activities or summer camps. I’ve found other moms feel them useful for sleepovers and keeping in contact with their child.
Communication
Allowing your child to be able to contact you or you with them is a really important benefit. This could be in case of an emergency, late picking up from school or stuck in traffic. When you can give your child peace of mind, then the anxiety will go away.
Education
Educating kids on the use of a smartphone is another benefit. With that comes, learning how to navigate the tech world, discussing issues like cyberbullying, group text talk and social media platforms.
Week 3 – What is the Verizon’s JUST KIDS PLAN?
After speaking to one of the Verizon sales associates, I was able to learn more about Verizon’s Just Kids Plan.
This plan give parents peace of mind while freedom for them.
A few options I liked were,
1) Provides filters
2) Prevents in App Purchases
3) Gives parents time limits so they can focus on school work or family time
4) Allows for trusted contacts
It’s the plan that’s made with your kids in mind. They get 5 GB of data, you get simple parental controls to monitor their data usage and keep tabs on who they’re talking to.
If you want to check out all the features and more, go to Verizon Wireless.
WEEK 4 – The discussion continues on the FB Live Stream sponsored by Verizon.
Our FB Live stream sponsored by Verizon was a huge success! The Online Mom and Local mom Scoop chatted about many of these questions above along with what are the 3 C’s and the Verizon Just Kids brand new line of service which comes with filters and parental controls.
WATCH THE REPLAY
There will be a Twitter Chat on Tuesday, July 2 to keep the discussion going.
And don’t forget to check out Verizon’s Just Kids plan which will take the mystery out of the tech and controls so you can focus on parenting.
As for me, I’m feeling more comfortable about getting a smartphone for my child knowing these parental controls are there.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT GETTING YOUR CHILD A SMARTPHONE?
These are some really good points. I am pregnant with my first, so I have not given a lot of thoughts to this. However, I will be taking all of your points when considering when to give my son his first phone!
Personally, I had it very late, not before the middle school … like third … and I don’t think it’s too much. Children must get there as late as possible!
Great points to note for all parents. I always think it is better to delay and don’t give it to them too early. It is pretty scary to see them addicted to the phone all day.
The Verizon just kids plan sounds so amazing. I too struggle at knowing when to give my son a phone. Thank you for these tips.
These are great tips! I am always so surprised when I see kids under 10 running around with iphones but it is always good to manage their screen time and prepare them for what comes along with having a smart phone! -Sondra Barker @cuisineandtravel.com
This is a hard decision for most parents like me. Personally, my kid is so young of having her own phone but will see if I will allow her to have her own phone in the future. For now, I let her use my phone in our house when she need to do her studies or even playing to relax her mind.
I let my 7 year old daughter use my phone but time is always limited, I think as long as they have a sched it’ll be okay
Those are actually really compelling benefits to your child having a smartphone. Giving kids smartphones was always something I struggled with and didn’t see the advantage, but you’ve convinced me that there are clear advantages.
My daughter is now almost 22 and times have changed. She got her first phone when she started 7th grade. So many cellphone companies, nowadays, offer lots of protection for our kids.
As a parent you want to do the right thing but at the same time want your child to be happy. So its important to ensure that they are kept save and are on a good kid’s plan if they are still in primary/middle school.