What's the right age to give a child a smartphone?

Ben E Lou · 07-20-2016, 05:34 PM

Log In - The New York Times

Discuss.

cartman · 07-20-2016, 05:36 PM

5 years old, if someone is trying to take on a group of them.

BYU 14 · 07-20-2016, 05:37 PM

I was 48 when I got my first one

Brian Swartz · 07-20-2016, 05:47 PM

Never. Dumbphones 4 Evah!

JonInMiddleGA · 07-20-2016, 06:15 PM

Varies child by child.

I've seen some that were probably ready for one - with parental control & restrictions -- by somewhere in the 6-8 range maybe.

I've seen others that probably shouldn't have one at 19.

If I'm supposed to pick an "average" there, maybe 11-13 somewhere? At this point in the tech curve, I think any later than that & you're certainly putting them on the outside of the world looking in, with some disadvantages both socially and educationally.

bulletsponge · 07-20-2016, 06:55 PM

when they start paying for them

cuervo72 · 07-20-2016, 07:13 PM

Ours got them at twelve. They're in middle school, getting a little more independent, staying over their friends house more or going to school functions, etc. Basically, you're not constantly with them, but you still want to be in contact with them.

flere-imsaho · 07-20-2016, 07:18 PM

I can see giving our 8-year-old one in a few years. He has a hand-me-down one without cell service that he uses for taking pictures and playing some games already, though he's not allowed to use it all the time or whenever he wants.

What's funny is that I think I doubt he'll need voice service, as I expect he'll (and most kids his age) use texting and apps more than anything.

korme · 07-20-2016, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

If I'm supposed to pick an "average" there, maybe 11-13 somewhere? At this point in the tech curve, I think any later than that & you're certainly putting them on the outside of the world looking in, with some disadvantages both socially and educationally.

I think you raise an excellent point.

JonInMiddleGA · 07-20-2016, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

What's funny is that I think I doubt he'll need voice service, as I expect he'll (and most kids his age) use texting and apps more than anything.

Good point, especially for those who haven't dealt with tweens/teens in a while.

My son's use of voice service usage is pretty much limited to us and the occasional official phone call for school related matters. (true in both HS and now college). Once in a while you have to talk to a real live human just to figure out where to send the next email.

TCY Junkie · 07-20-2016, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by korme

I think you raise an excellent point.

I hope there isn't some support group for kids that don't have phones until they drive in the future...... "I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots".

JonInMiddleGA · 07-20-2016, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCY Junkie

I hope there isn't some support group for kids that don't have phones until they drive in the future

I don't think there'd be a group ... not enough people to warrant one nor enough applicable practical social skills to get one together.

People bank on their phones, and are openly discouraged from doing otherwise. Increasingly, school assignments are given electronically AND turned in electronically. The school lunch menu is online, not even printed in all cases any more. Ditto the after-school schedule. And the appointment to get your senior picture taken.

I could go on & on & on but I'm pretty sure you get the idea.

Heck, how many of us here even still have a landline phone at this point?

stevew · 07-20-2016, 09:12 PM

First daughter was 11-12 I think. Second was 10. I feel like 8/9/10 is correct depending on your child.

TCY Junkie · 07-20-2016, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I don't think there'd be a group ... not enough people to warrant one nor enough applicable practical social skills to get one together.

People bank on their phones, and are openly discouraged from doing otherwise. Increasingly, school assignments are given electronically AND turned in electronically. The school lunch menu is online, not even printed in all cases any more. Ditto the after-school schedule. And the appointment to get your senior picture taken.

I could go on & on & on but I'm pretty sure you get the idea.

Heck, how many of us here even still have a landline phone at this point?

Yeah, I get it. People should be more with nature, me included for sure. Would be interesting poll, I sure haven't not used a landline in some time.

Suicane75 · 07-20-2016, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCY Junkie

I hope there isn't some support group for kids that don't have phones until they drive in the future...... "I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots".

Today says hello.

flere-imsaho · 07-21-2016, 12:17 AM

Honestly, guys. If there's any value to the FOFC community, it's probably in getting us fathers through this phase before we retire.

Glengoyne · 07-21-2016, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuervo72

Ours got them at twelve. They're in middle school, getting a little more independent, staying over their friends house more or going to school functions, etc. Basically, you're not constantly with them, but you still want to be in contact with them.

This is pretty close to what we're doing.. Our now 16 year old suffered through with a flip phone for almost two years before we upgraded her. Our now 12 year old will probably go straight to a cheap smart phone because he is almost certain to lose it within two months.

flere-imsaho · 07-21-2016, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Once in a while you have to talk to a real live human just to figure out where to send the next email.

PilotMan · 07-21-2016, 09:21 AM

Mine were 11 and 12 when they got theirs. I just got them the Samsung Galaxy Core. It did everything that I needed it to for them. It was super affordable, it looks like the S4/5, it has a sim card slot, it's processor is painfully slow at times, but they don't complain about it at all and they use them all the time for various things. It's really integrated into their lives very well.

Wolfpack · 07-21-2016, 11:50 PM

My wife just upgraded her phone and we passed her old one down to our oldest daughters who are 12 and 10. The 12 year old really only wants it for the safety and security of being able to reach us if she needs to. The 10 year old is probably going to be the bigger user, though, since she wants to play games or whatever on it like Pokemon Go.

Atocep · 07-22-2016, 12:00 AM

My son was 9 when he got a fairly basic smartphone and 12 when he finally got a fully functional smartphone. The convenience of being able to text when he was at a friends house and other places was well worth it.

JonInMiddleGA · 07-22-2016, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

That "talk to someone to find out where to send the next email" was inspired by actual events from earlier in the week. The correct email was nowhere on the university website, got it within a minute of talking to a live human.

Of course, what we were given has now bounced back twice :/

Marc Vaughan · 07-22-2016, 09:38 AM

Depends entirely on the maturity of the child in question and the lifestyle they live, if they're always with you then there is little point for a very young child to have a phone (their friends can have your number etc. and most games etc. can be played on an iTouch style device).

If the child is mature enough to look after it and are frequently apart from you (say you're divorced from their other parent) then it gives you a means of communicating with them when they're absent etc. ... so I don't think there is a 'right age' as with most parenting its case by case.

MizzouRah · 07-22-2016, 06:30 PM

I have two daughters and when they turned 13, they got their first phone.

General Mike · 07-22-2016, 06:50 PM

I don't have kids, but I would say the age you trust them to go somewhere without adult supervision, stay home by themselves, etc. It's a different world from when I grew up as there are no public payphones for kids to call you for a ride home from the movies, the library, etc.

RomaGoth · 07-29-2016, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

This is pretty close to what we're doing.. Our now 16 year old suffered through with a flip phone for almost two years before we upgraded her...

Our 15 year old son has had a flip phone for well over a year now and he hates it. On the other hand, I never see his face because he is always in the bathroom or in his bedroom...

...playing games on his iPod.

RomaGoth · 07-29-2016, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Mike

I don't have kids

Kids pffft...Generals don't have time for families.

07-20-2016, 05:36 PM	#2
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	5 years old, if someone is trying to take on a group of them. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

07-20-2016, 06:15 PM	#5
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Varies child by child. I've seen some that were probably ready for one - with parental control & restrictions -- by somewhere in the 6-8 range maybe. I've seen others that probably shouldn't have one at 19. If I'm supposed to pick an "average" there, maybe 11-13 somewhere? At this point in the tech curve, I think any later than that & you're certainly putting them on the outside of the world looking in, with some disadvantages both socially and educationally. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

07-20-2016, 06:55 PM	#6
bulletsponge Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: TX	when they start paying for them __________________ the Barbarian, WW Royal Rumble Champion

07-20-2016, 07:13 PM	#7
cuervo72 Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maryland	Ours got them at twelve. They're in middle school, getting a little more independent, staying over their friends house more or going to school functions, etc. Basically, you're not constantly with them, but you still want to be in contact with them. __________________ null

07-21-2016, 09:21 AM	#19
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	Mine were 11 and 12 when they got theirs. I just got them the Samsung Galaxy Core. It did everything that I needed it to for them. It was super affordable, it looks like the S4/5, it has a sim card slot, it's processor is painfully slow at times, but they don't complain about it at all and they use them all the time for various things. It's really integrated into their lives very well. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam

07-20-2016, 05:37 PM	#3
BYU 14 Coordinator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The scorched Desert	I was 48 when I got my first one

07-20-2016, 05:47 PM	#4
Brian Swartz Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2006	Never. Dumbphones 4 Evah!

07-20-2016, 07:18 PM	#8
flere-imsaho Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicagoland	I can see giving our 8-year-old one in a few years. He has a hand-me-down one without cell service that he uses for taking pictures and playing some games already, though he's not allowed to use it all the time or whenever he wants. What's funny is that I think I doubt he'll need voice service, as I expect he'll (and most kids his age) use texting and apps more than anything.

07-20-2016, 09:12 PM	#13
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	First daughter was 11-12 I think. Second was 10. I feel like 8/9/10 is correct depending on your child.

07-21-2016, 12:17 AM	#16
flere-imsaho Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicagoland	Honestly, guys. If there's any value to the FOFC community, it's probably in getting us fathers through this phase before we retire.

07-21-2016, 11:50 PM	#20
Wolfpack Pro Rookie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC	My wife just upgraded her phone and we passed her old one down to our oldest daughters who are 12 and 10. The 12 year old really only wants it for the safety and security of being able to reach us if she needs to. The 10 year old is probably going to be the bigger user, though, since she wants to play games or whatever on it like Pokemon Go.

07-22-2016, 12:00 AM	#21
Atocep Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Puyallup, WA	My son was 9 when he got a fairly basic smartphone and 12 when he finally got a fully functional smartphone. The convenience of being able to text when he was at a friends house and other places was well worth it.

07-22-2016, 09:38 AM	#23
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	Depends entirely on the maturity of the child in question and the lifestyle they live, if they're always with you then there is little point for a very young child to have a phone (their friends can have your number etc. and most games etc. can be played on an iTouch style device). If the child is mature enough to look after it and are frequently apart from you (say you're divorced from their other parent) then it gives you a means of communicating with them when they're absent etc. ... so I don't think there is a 'right age' as with most parenting its case by case.

07-22-2016, 06:30 PM	#24
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	I have two daughters and when they turned 13, they got their first phone.

07-22-2016, 06:50 PM	#25
General Mike Pro Starter Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The State of Rutgers	I don't have kids, but I would say the age you trust them to go somewhere without adult supervision, stay home by themselves, etc. It's a different world from when I grew up as there are no public payphones for kids to call you for a ride home from the movies, the library, etc.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)