Bill Gates: "No cell phone 'till you're 14!"
What is the earliest age that a child should have a cell phone? Parents wonder what the right answer to this question is - at what age did YOU get your first cell phone?
Well, Bill Gates chimed in on the subject during a recent interview - he says that his children didn't get one until they were 14. Click HERE for an article on the subject.
Take a look at the "...list of questions parents should answer before giving their child their first phone" at the bottom of the article.
Watch this 60 Minutes story in class about how cell phone apps "hack our brains".
HERE is an article about proposed legislation to ban 'pay to win' features in games, such as loot boxes.
Watch this 60 Minutes story in class about how cell phone apps "hack our brains".
HERE is an article about proposed legislation to ban 'pay to win' features in games, such as loot boxes.
What should a student due to make sure that they don't "overuse" or become addicted to their phone or "screen". Do you think you've become addicted to your phone? What IS the earliest age that you think a child should have a cell phone?
Knowing the risks, what types of things would you want to talk to a child about, like a younger brother or sister, before they are given the responsibility of having a cell phone?
I think kids should grow up with out a phone till they are 14 because they should grow up and have fun. Not deal with internet drama.
ReplyDeleteYes Ross I agree, their is a lot of drama.
DeleteI agree Ross. I think that people should be able to have a childhood without the internet
DeleteI agree Ross.Kids should be enjoying their childhood outside and not sitting on their phone all day inside.
DeleteI agree, having a phone this early could cause major problems for a child this young
Deletei think its a good way for kids not to have a phone untell the age 14 becouse kids will do thins out side or be social with people or friends
ReplyDeleteI agree gage some kids need to have fun and not spend 100 percent of their time on a phone.
DeleteI think that kids can have their own phones when their parents think the time is right. Age shouldn't be an aspect on owning a phone, it is all about maturity. If a kid is mature enough and is willing to take care of a phone, then they should be able to get one.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jaxon you should be mature before getting one.
DeleteI also agree. You should be mature before you get a phone.
Deletei agree also kids need to be more mature to get a phone same with a computer
DeleteI agree with you to an extent. While maturity is a big part of it, I think that parents should also allow their kids time to be kids. Cell phones are a responsibility that some kids may not be ready for, even if they are more mature than their peers.
DeleteI think 14 is a good number, so then they are a little bit mature, and hopefully they wont post something dumb online.
ReplyDeleteI agree, people should be mature to get a phone.
DeleteI agree, the maturity level makes a big difference.
DeleteI agree that is a good age to get a cell phone.
DeleteI got my first. phone when I was 10, but it wasn't all mine, I had to tell my mom my password and the apps I downloaded. I think 14 is a bit too late, around middle school (11-13) is when kids start to learn from mistakes, and don't really need a parent to be watching over them as much on their phone, and I admit I'm addicted to my phone but I could reduce it if I wanted too, like most people could as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree Hanna, if I tried I could reduce the time that I spend on my phone.
DeleteThis is a good point! I think middle school is a good time to get a phone because they've started to be a little more independent. I also agree that if I wanted to, I could definitely reduce the amount of time spent on my phone.
DeleteGetting a phone at 14 is a bit too late in my opinion. I think that you should be able to get a phone when you have proved you are ready for one. I do think that I am addicted to my phone.
ReplyDeleteI agree, 14 years old is too late, it's pretty much freshman in highschool
DeleteI think that having a phone should come at the beginning of your teenage years, and maybe save social media for a bit later.
DeleteI think it less about "what's th earliest age a child should have a phone, it's more of a question of do they need a phone. I think if your kid as like a teen or something is out and about and does lots of things, they should have the ability to communicate, thus meaning they should have a phone.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Jack. That really is the only reason they should get their first phone.
DeleteI agree jack. It is good to have a phone so you can stay in touch with an adult if a kid is in danger and can call an adult or the cops.
DeleteI agree, communication is the main reason for getting a phone.
DeleteI think that there is necessarily a certain "age" for a kid to have a phone. I think that if the kid needs a phone for practice, or being able to communicate I think thats when you should get a phone. I think that sometimes that could be 14 years old, or even 12. I think the age that kids should get social media should be about 13 or 14.
ReplyDeleteYes Tony, I agree, I think that having a phone differs in everybody's situation. I think that social media is actually the bigger problem than just the phone in general
DeleteI agree. There is definitely a bigger problem than just having the phone to communicate.
DeleteI agree, there is definitely some limitations.
DeleteI think it is more when the child needs a phone. When they are out doing things they will need to be able to talk to their parents. I got my first phone when I was in the 6th grade. I don't think I am addicted to my phone. Can I be on it all the time? Yes, but if I needed I could put it down.
ReplyDeleteI agree I think that the parent could also make he decision based on when a child needs a phone.
DeleteI agree olivia, kids need a phone for emergencies
DeleteI think 13 or 14 would be a good age because it's when you are starting to be more active in your life and you start sports and what not. I got my first phone at the end of 7th grade so I was 13 I think. I'm honestly not super addicted I can put it away easily.
ReplyDeleteI agree Haley, phones are addicting and kids will hooked on them really easy.
DeleteI agree with you. It really matters when they need a phone.
DeleteI agree haley.Like I spend quite a bit of time on my phone especially due to covid-19 but I could definitely put my phone down if I needed too.
DeleteI think screen time limits should be placed on kid's phones, to prevent addiction. I think kids should live without a phone for most of their childhood and enjoy it, rather than always staring at a screen. I think once kids reach their teen years they can be allowed to have a fun. I think it is most important to enjoy time, without having to rely on a screen.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point Kylee. If kids do have a phone there should be some kind of limit so that they don't overuse it.
DeleteI agree, people are too reliant of their phones to even have fun.
DeleteI agree with you kyle.
Deletei also agree with you
DeleteI think it's a good idea to keep your kid away from screens until they're 14. It's important for kids to have a fun childhood, going outside and not being on screens all day. Phones and screens can probably change the way the kids develop too. Overall it's a pretty good idea because you should be able to learn how to spend your time without relying on a screen.
ReplyDeletegood Idea olivia, I agree with your statement because the kid is a little bit more mature and independent.
DeleteI think that is a good point
DeleteI agree. Kids need to grow up without being addicted to their phones.
DeleteI think that there should be type of limit to the screen time children get if they do not do any extra activities. I do think that depending what a kid is doing screen time can be a experience to make the child more intellectual. If it was up to me i would allow the kids to get good quality screen time when they are a little bit more mature.
ReplyDeleteI agree that is a good idea.
DeleteGood point. Kids should be mature before they get a lot of screen time.
DeleteI agree Max.My kids would have to prove to me that they're mature enough to be capable of owning a phone.
DeleteI think the appropriate age for a child to get a cell phone is when they start staying at home by themselves. I think this is the right age because then they can get in contact with parents or anyone else, in case of an emergency. I would, however limit their screen time, because nowadays people, including myself, are always buried in their phones, and don't know how to put them down.
ReplyDeleteI really like your statement, I think that is a really reasonable reason of why a kid should have a phone. tbh if we really wanted our kids to have limited screen time I would personally just buy the kid a flip phone for his first phone
DeleteI agree. They need to be able to contact their parents if they need to, but their parents can put limitations on their phone so they don't overuse it.
DeleteI think that the age that a person should get a cell phone can change depending on how responsible a kid is. I do not think that I am addicted to my phone.
ReplyDeleteI think that the age each person should get a phone is completely unique and dependent on the reasons they're getting it. If its just for games then ya it probably wouldn't hurt to wait till they're 14. In my case though, I got a phone earlier because I had a lot of activities going on and it was much easier to get a hold of my parents and vice versa if plans ended up changing.
ReplyDeleteI think that kids should get their phones around the age of 13 or 14.In their childhood I think that they should enjoy being outside and being social with friends and not just doing everything on your phone.
ReplyDeleteI believe that kids should get there phone around the age of 12-14, I mean these are the times when children start hanging out without parents around, going around to other places that aren't "the norm", and sometimes needing to be able to communicate or call for a ride.
ReplyDeleteI think that getting a cell phone is something that should be based partially on maturity, necessity, as well as age. I wouldn't necessarily suggest giving an eight year old a cell phone, but if there's an absolute necessity for it, I can understand it a little bit more. I got my first phone when I was eleven, but it was because I was going to my friends' houses more, and doing things like going for walks with them and ice skating, so my parents wanted to be able to contact me, especially because of my health condition, so that they could make sure I was okay.
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent point Cas, although being mature is a great aspect of owning your own phone, safety is a bigger issue.
DeleteI agree safety is definitely a bigger issue.
DeleteI think that kids should get cell phones at about 11, as long as there are limitations on it. Parents can limit the apps they can download, so there would be no social media on their phone until they're older or more mature. Parents can also limit screen time so they wouldn't spend too long on it. Parents need to be able to contact their kids, and kids should be able to contact their friends. They can have a phone without social media.
ReplyDeleteGood point Haley, kids can start off with being able to contact and play games, and as they mature, they can get social media.
DeleteI think that kids can have their own phones when their parents think the time is right. Age shouldn't be an aspect on owning a phone, it is all about maturity. If a kid is mature enough and is willing to take care of a phone, then they should be able to get one.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good idea to keep your kid away from screens until they're 14. It's important for kids to have a fun childhood, going outside and not being on screens all day. Phones and screens can probably change the way the kids develop too. Overall it's a pretty good idea because you should be able to learn how to spend your time without relying on a screen.
ReplyDelete