Are your kids begging you for a smartphone? Are you trying to figure out whether or not this is the right decision for your family? This decision is a tough one to make, especially if you aren’t quite sure of all the pros there are to letting your child have a smartphone.
So, for those that are on the fence here, we made a list for you!
Here is a list of the pros of letting your child have a smartphone:
- Helps With School
These days, schools use technology for just about anything and some teachers encourage you to bring your smartphone to class for projects. As a parent of a middle schooler, I can attest to this being true.
- Entertaining
Think about it, if you really need to do something but your child is complaining that they’re bored, then it would be so much easier if they could just entertain themselves with games on their phone. Of course, this is not what you want to happen all the time, but occasionally it is a benefit.
- It Can Benefit You
You may not have thought of this, but it could help you a lot! If you are driving and you really need to look something up, instead of breaking the law and putting yourself and others in danger, you could just ask your child to look it up for you and tell you the answer.
- Helps With Homework
Sometimes, your kids need help with their homework and you don’t know how to help them, and that’s okay! It just helps them extra if they have a smartphone that they could use as a tool for homework! Many teachers also suggest that kids use a calculator that they can find online via their phones.
- Pictures and Videos
Normal cell phones often have cameras that take photos, but it’s almost never as good quality as a picture taken by a smartphone.
- Responsibility
Your kids will love their phone so much that it will make them do anything to not get it taken away from them. Which also means they have more motivation to behave.
- Social Benefits
I know you don’t want to be a “keeping up with the Jones’” kind of family but the reality is there. A majority of kids these days have smartphones. The kids that don’t have them are the exception, they are no longer the rule.
Tristan
This article doesn’t address any of the real issues with our kids having smartphones. It really sounds like my 8th grade kid wrote it. Silly article.
Connie
I believe the risks need to be addressed in this article as well. I was hoping you would talk about apps that help parents see what kids are looking at and when…. yes kids use it in school, take pictures, entertain themselves….but this is more like excuses from kids who want a phone.
Ways to monitor a cell phone and also help the cost would be great.
Melanie
I agree with both of the previous posts. First, the article didn’t address the cons at all or any of the risks and there can be no denial, there are risks and they aren’t minor. And two, you’re justification (not actual pros) for buying your child a smartphone is not a good reason for another parent to buy one for their child. You’re first clue your justifying to make yourself feel better about your decision is even mentioning “everyone else is doing it, why not me?”
emily
bizarre