Are you wondering what an appropriate age for a cell phone is?
When I was a senior in high school, my parents got me my first cell phone so I could touch base with them if I was at after school activities or out with friends. This was not a big decision for them. My simple phone was harmless– it did not have the internet or even texting.
Oh how times have changed. Today, parents have to consider so many more factors before handing over a phone to their children because, with smartphones, teens can be exposed to cyberbullying, sexting, pornography, increased comparison with others, etc.
Today’s guest, Andrea Davis, is a mother of five and the founder of Better Screen Time. She is passionate about helping parents navigate technology. She does not want us to feel afraid but rather empowered with tools and know-how to make smart, safe decisions regarding technology within our families. Here are three takeaways to help us decide when to give our children a smart phone:
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What is An Appropriate Age for a Cell Phone? 3 Tips:
- Find five parents who are just a few years ahead of you in parenting and ask them how they have handled technology and cell phones with their children.
- Work with your family to create healthy tech boundaries. It’s important to give our kids some ownership in our family technology plan and the opportunity to share their opinions and thoughts.
- Listen to your gut, but also listen to your teen. This will help them learn the “why” behind the decisions you make.
>>>Are these tips from Andrea on what is an appropriate age for a cell phone helpful? What would you add to the takeaways? Tell us in the comments below.
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Get in touch with our Guest:
- Instagram: @betterscreentime
- Website: betterscreentime.com
Sponsors:
- BetterHelp: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Use the code 3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy!
- Drawers: 15% off your order by using code 3in30 at drawersco.net
Mentioned in the Episode:
- Andrea’s Course: Creating a Tech Healthy Family is on sale. The sale starts April 11th and ends April 21t at midnight. Course is 20% OFF, plus 3 in 30 listeners can get an additional 10% OFF with the code 3IN30 at this link.
- Andrea’s Book: Creating a Tech Healthy Family
- Grab Your Free Quick Guide to Creating a Family Technology Plan
- Am I Ready for a Personal Device? {A Self-Evaluation for Teens}
- Feature Phone to Smart Phone: A Four-Phase Process
- Is My Teen Ready for a Cell Phone?
- How to Help Your Teen Transition to a Smartphone
- Screen Time Check-In
Related Episodes like this on navigating technology and cell phones:
- 114: How To Stop Looking At Your Phone So Much // Dr. Katie Penry
- 154: How To Teach Your Teen To Use Social Media Safely // Chelsea Brown
- 207: How do I help my child build a healthy relationship with technology? // Andrea Davis
