Anya Yang (10) | STAFF REPORTER
These days, children are gaining internet access quicker, easier, and earlier than ever before. This has led to worrying questions for parents with children who are “chronically online”: what dangers would the internet pose to their child’s mental and physical well-being? Would it teach them all sorts of terrible things that would be irreversible, and cause them to become dangerous and reckless?
Among these questions, a specific one has become a more and more popular question to debate: should parents allow their children under age 14 to have a cellphone? Children should. This is because they will have internet access regardless of whether or not they own a cellphone, and it allows them easier access to tools they need.
Especially in countries that are richer and have more technological access, children are exposed to the internet incredibly early. Regardless of how a parent can try to monitor their child’s exposure to the internet, typically it is impossible for no exposure at all. Schools, friends’ houses, and libraries; all provide children with access to technologies such as computers, iPads, and more. These days, TV shows/YouTube videos like Cocomelon are all the rage. Kids play Roblox daily with their friends. Educational activities like IXL are assigned to children for homework.
It is almost impossible to bar children from having no internet screen time at all. Therefore, access to cell phones will not greatly impact your child’s screen time if they already have access to other technology. The only difference between a cellphone and other devices is that it is smaller, easier to carry, and has more functions such as having a SIM card so it is easier to contact people.
A child with a cell phone gains easier access to the tools electronics and technology provide. As previously mentioned, it is much easier to contact people when a child has a cellphone, place a call if there is an emergency, take photos, and more. As cell phones are so easy to carry around, they are much easier to track in case a child goes missing (a smartwatch could do the same, but cell phones are more versatile and a better investment). Other devices do not typically offer the same advantages of being carried easily, accessibility, and more.
At the end of the day, a parent decides to offer their child access to a cell phone. Numerous factors may affect a decision to give a child a cellphone including financial, personal reasons, and more. The purpose of this article is not to shame parents for not giving their children a cell phone, but rather to educate them on certain benefits of possessing one.
Regardless, parents should (under normal circumstances) allow their child under the age of 14 to possess a cell phone.
