05/10/2023
Smartphone access is a hot topic for many families and is a topic that often comes up in counseling sessions. Wait Until 8th has wonderful ideas for delaying smartphones, and they offer a link that lists non-smartphone options for parents who are trying to decide when and how their children should have access to their own phone.
Do you need to get in touch with your child?
Consider a basic phone instead of a smartphone.
Smartphones are quickly changing childhood for children. Playing outdoors, spending time with friends, reading books and hanging out with family is happening a lot less to make room for hours of snap chatting, instagramming, and catching up on You Tube.
When you are considering what communication device is best for your child, it is important first to ask what is the purpose of the device?
If calling and texting is all that is needed, we encourage parents to consider a basic phone before a smartphone.
The majority of problems associated with smartphones are because of the access to an internet browser, the app store and social media.
In some cases, it may be easier and even cheaper to give your child your old iPhone instead of buying a basic phone. The cost and time are well worth the investment though.
If you need to get in touch, please consider some basic communication devices listed on our website and in our Instagram Story.
Childhood is too short to waste on a smartphone!
👉Delay smartphones until at least 8th grade with the Wait Until 8th pledge!
👍Delay social media until 16+ !
👉Take it slowly on the tech front with a basic phone.
👉Never hand over a fully loaded smartphone to a child to start. Strip is down! Take off the internet browser, disable access to the App Store, just say "not yet" to social media and resist putting games on it too. Keep is simple!
👍Keep all devices out of bedrooms especially at night.
You've got this parents! 🙌🙌🙌
