Welcome to the phone smart age. The age where all is done through phones.
But at what age do we start with a smartphone. What would be the appropriate age, is there even an appropriate age.
I believe it is said that 25% of the children under he age of 12 already have a smartphone. But why do they need a smart phone, if it is only for calling a parent if needed, when they do a little grocery shopping or have to come home from school because they are feeling ill.
Wouldn’t a dumb phone as those, old-only-can-call-and-text phones are called, be sufficient enough. And cheaper.
It s funny though how children age 10 are walking around with an expensive (read 600 dollars) phone. And parents are okay with that while complaining it is so hard during this crisis. Children get things done. And we parents supply them with items that help them not to get picked on to. But what age should we be starting to give them a smart phone. Give it to them because they want one, or they are bullied for not having one or even an old one.
Give them a smart phone because their friends has one. Isn’t that group pressure. Something the marketing is happy to use to sell phones to kids. You can call friends, chat and even take picture with friends. Where in my memory i was kicked out the house to go have fun with friends. They now sit down and text each other through what ever app there is available. Making friends is done by exchanging emails. So how far do we let this go.
Well there are parents who are concerned. Who are afraid their child turns into a Whatsapp zombie. Laying on sofa using the app to talk to friends all day. There are parents who think about the bullies who now can have a distant and anonymously can bully all hey want. Some are concerned about the effects it has on brains. And i can with my own age say it helps you degrade a lot quicker. It strange to see how fast you forget a number now-a-days. or how you let a smartphone correct your input on your agenda. And how easy you start to leave the thinking to something else.
It is for that reason i do have my phoneless days. To realize a world far better then any phone could make it. One with interaction between people who have something to say. And time for a cup of coffee. What is way more then a tiny box on your ear can provide, it is an experience and a memory.
Best wishes
Ranting Crow
Ranting Crow 