Let’s Talk Mental Health
Is Your Child Ready for a Smartphone?
Clip: Season 2 Episode 1 | 1m 37sVideo has Closed Captions
When is a child ready for a phone? Dr. Kyle Boerke explains why responsibility matters.
Is there a right age for a first smartphone? Dr. Kyle Boerke explains why a child’s demonstrated responsibility matters when making that decision. From putting devices away when asked to starting with a phone without internet access, he shares practical considerations for parents facing pressure to keep up with other families.
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Let’s Talk Mental Health is a local public television program presented by WTVP
Let’s Talk Mental Health
Is Your Child Ready for a Smartphone?
Clip: Season 2 Episode 1 | 1m 37sVideo has Closed Captions
Is there a right age for a first smartphone? Dr. Kyle Boerke explains why a child’s demonstrated responsibility matters when making that decision. From putting devices away when asked to starting with a phone without internet access, he shares practical considerations for parents facing pressure to keep up with other families.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipThere is no right time because the level of responsibility that the kiddo shows will vary drastically.
So if we have shown good ability at age, you know, 10 or 11 to put down the tablet when I as parent say, you know, it's time to, to stop, you know, having the device or even video games or whatever, I've shown a different level of responsibility than the child who's having a tantrum because they have to get rid of it.
So that child, maybe at 11 or 12, they are able to take the step to a dumb phone, right?
That can make a phone call.
- Yeah.
- Because not all phones have to have internet access.
- Yeah.
- And once they've shown responsibility with that phone that doesn't have internet access and plugging it in at the charging station, not in their room, not sneaking it, then they've, you know, maybe earned that right a little bit faster than somebody who's not showing that responsibility.
So it's not a one size fits all.
It is a follow your child's lead as they are demonstrating that responsibility.
But that makes it very hard on the parents because there is a "Keeping Up with the Joneses" concept that is hard for a parent to deal with when your child is truly the only one in the class without the phone.
- Yes.
- It's hard as a parent to stick to your guns when everybody else has social media, you know, accounts or smartphones.
It's hard to say it's not time for you yet.
So it is a hard thing, but we have to follow our children's lead, and that lead comes from the responsibility they're showing.
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Let’s Talk Mental Health is a local public television program presented by WTVP