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.
We'll 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.
We'll 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 do 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 it depends on the person. If you have a person who just goes to school then back home there is no point in a cell phone at a young age. You have wifi at school and home, you can use a computer. But if you are a person who is always outside, hiking, fourwheeling, etc you should have one in case of an emergency. I think if all you do is go to school then back home the age you should get a cellphone is around 16. Due to the fact that most 16 year olds are driving, and you will need one if you break down, or get into an accident. I think the earliest age a child should have a phone is 10, if they are always outside, or are frequently home alone.
ReplyDeleteMy parents wanted me to have a cell phone to make sure I could call them if I needed them and so I could call them when a game was over and I needed a ride home.
DeleteI agree not all kids should be categorized by there age when getting a cellphone all kids mature at different rates and its all up to how mature the kids really is.
DeleteI agree, I think a good age is 12 for kids to have their first phone if they're out and about. It depends on the kid and how mature they are.
DeleteI agree that if you don't really do all that much at a young age you don't really need one but if your always out and about i think the safe thing is to have a phone.
DeleteI agree if you're younger and you just go from place to place everyday there isn't a use, but when your a bit older you might want to get your child a cell phone so that way they can call when a practice is over or let you know what they are up to.
DeleteI agree, If your in no afterschool activities then it doesn't pay to have a phone
DeleteI got my cell phone at age 14. I used my cell phone to look up information and learn how to do things. The apps I have like snap chat I use to keep in contact with my older siblings and some friends. I use my cell phone so my parents can get in contact with me. I dont use my cell phone that much, maybe only 5 times a day.
ReplyDeleteI think that if it were my child I would give them a cellphone when I think they're ready all kids grow at different rates and when a child knows the pros and cons of a cell phone and are aware then they should be able to have a cellphone. I got my first cell phone when i was 12 but i noticed i for sure was aware of the risks with previously having tablet and such i kinda taught myself that everything can be dangerous on the internet. I think one way to tell if you do have an addiction to your phone is wait for it to die, try not to pick it up, its dead and yet I still constantly grab for it and try to turn it on. I would tell them that passwords and emails are yours and nobody else's and that you gotta watch what you download also how many hours you use your phone a day.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that the password one is the most important cause if that gets leaked a lot can go wrong.
DeleteI agree children mature at different rates so I don't think there should be a specific age to get one it should all revolve around your maturity and if your old enough to take care of it.
DeleteWhen I give my kid a phone it will be when they are mature enough to handle all the things on it. I will tell them about all the dangers and how not to just talk to random people and watch out for what they look up. And i would make sure to tell them to watch their screen time and not to spend all day on the phone and to never give their passwords out to people.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there is no set age to get a phone, it depends on how mature the child is. If they will use it responsibly they should have a phone.
DeleteI agree it depends on the child and what they use it for.
DeleteI agree with also not giving your child a phone until they are mature enough to handle it.
DeleteI agree because kids who are mature enough can handle a phone by themselves.
DeleteI agree they shouldn't go on their phones all day.
i agree kids shouldnt get stuff they dont know how ta use
DeleteI think 10 or 11 is a good age because when you are that age you start doing more with your friends and your parents start letting you out of the house on your own and having a cell phone would be good in case of an emergency. If a parent doesn't want there kid becoming addicted to their cell phone you can set time restrictions on apps and have them turn it i a nighttime.
ReplyDeleteI agree parents can put restrictions on their device if they think they're on it too much and not focusing on more important stuff like homework and school.
DeleteI agree, I think getting a phone at around that age is perfect because they start doing things without their parents and the parents need to keep in touch with them.
Deletei agree because you could see there location or they can text you and check in
Deletei agree parents can put restrictions on the phones and limit there screen time on it so they don't become addicted
DeleteI agree, getting a phone around that age is great so you can keep in touch in case of an emergency since kids start going to hangout with friends at that age.
DeleteI agree because If they want to go to there friends house they text you if they are doing ok or things turn out to be bad they can text you to pick them up or something.
DeleteI think having a cell phone takes responsibility. If your child is staying home alone, going out with friends frequently, or in sports. It may be a good reason for them to have a phone so you can keep in touch. I didn't get my first phone until 12 and I didn't get data put on until months after since my parents waited to see if I would take care of it. I mean before a cell phone I had an ipad growing up that I played games on but it stayed at home. My little sister has an ipad that she brings to her friends houses to keep in touch with my parents and she is only 10. You know you're addicted to your phone when you look at it constantly, always have to be on it it when your bored, and check your notifications 24/7 and more.
ReplyDeleteI agree, a child should have a cell when you need to contact them as long as they aren't dumb with it and know what revolves around having a cell phone.
DeleteI agree also, it depends on the person and what they commonly do. People that rarely are by their-self don't need one. But when you start to become independent, and start to go to places by yourself, that is when you need one.
DeleteI agree, I think a child should mainly have a cell phone to keep in touch with parents and friends, but the need to know about cyberbullying and all the hateful things you can see on the internet.
Deletei agree that children should have phones to keep in touch with there parents when they are old enough to leave
Deletei 100 percent agree that having a phone takes responsibly and should only be given to children whom the parents can trust.
Deletei agree so your kids can call you if then need you
DeleteI wouldn't give my child a phone until they are about 11 or 12. I would give them one at that age because that's the age where kids start getting into sports and going places with their friends and if they have a phone you can keep in contact with them. However if they got too addicted to it I would talk to them about it and if they don't fix it I would put screen time on different apps until they aren't always on it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the sports thing, It helps alat to get ahold of you after there done with practices.
DeleteI agree, giving your child a phone to keep in contact is a good idea.
DeleteI agree when they have practice they can text if they are done with practice and you can pick them up.
Deletei would let my child have a phone once he starts going with freinds so he can check in with me and let me know what he is doing and where he is at at all times
ReplyDeletei agree i dont want my kid to go ask a bunch of people to use there phones
DeleteI agree they should have a phone to check in
Deletei would start to let my child to have his phone when he is in about 5th or 6th grade cause thats when they may have something going on after school and they need to text me to let me known that they will need a ride later in the day.
ReplyDeletei disagree but i see where your coming from i believe they should be at least 14 before they can have a phone.
DeleteI disagree because kids who are in 5th or 6th grade shouldn't have a phone until 15 or older.
Deletei agree, i mean thats when kids start hanging out with their friends and meeting up at places. they should have some form of communicated when not supervised.
DeleteI agree, because kids would like to hang out if friends or sports.
DeleteI think 13 or 14 is a good age. So I would have to agree with the age Bill Gates said for his children. I got my first phone when I was 13. I feel like kids don't need to be having a phone in elementry school. It ruins there childhood by being on a phone instead of going outside or something.
ReplyDeletei agree 14 is a good age i didn't have my phone until then and it did allow me to enjoy the simple things.
Deletei agree, too many kids are too busy playing on their phones instead of learning how to ride a bike.
Deletei think it should be a bit younger but 13 or 14 is not a bad age for them to get it
DeleteI agree 13 or 14 is a good age because they will start leaving the house more.
DeleteI agree kids shouldn't be on there phones over going outside
Deletei agree with bill gates kids should be given a phone at 14 or older. how to prevent phone addiction its quite simple set an alarm to get off your phone and go for a walk around your block or go onto a hiking trail just get up and move. before giving children a phone you have to talk about not revealing any private information like your name, your phone number, and especially where you live.
ReplyDeleteI would most likely give my child a phone when they are 12. The reason being is because at that age, a lot of kids start wanting to go hangout with their friends and get out of the house. If they have a phone then we would be able to keep touch so I know everything i okay. I would probably talk to them about not giving out their information to anyone, don't get too addicted to it, don't look up or do anything that could get you in trouble, and stay off sketchy websites. I had my first phone when I was 11, and yes I am most definitely addicted to my phone.
ReplyDeletei agree cause that is the right age to get a phone and you can still but limitations on it
DeleteI got my first cell phone when i was 16 years old.
ReplyDeleteI use my cell phone to text and call my parents and friends.
I think I got my first phone when I was 14 and brother got his 13. when we got It she told some rules like don't bring our phone to school because some people might steal. When we got middle school she trust us bring our phone to school so she can text us like she going to pick us up or we have to go to the bus.
ReplyDeletei got my first phone when i was 7 only because i walked home from school alone and i talked to parents on the way there. however i was only allowed to call and play games on it. my parents would make sure i wasnt always playing on it and i was only allowed on it for certain amount of time each day.
ReplyDeleteI agree With doing what you were it'd be a lot more safe with a phone and it is a lot better to limit the amount of time that can be spent on the phone so that they are less dependant on it
Deleteill let my kid have a phone when they are starting to leave the house for a coupkle hours at a time so they can check in wit me
ReplyDeleteI agree it can be a lot easier to stay in contact and make sure your safe if you kid has a phone
DeleteI got my first phone when I was 13 and I think the best age for a kid to get a phone is when they start leaving the house. I think the best way to make sure someone doesn't overuse there phone is by using a system on iphones where parents can make some app not work at some time or if the child was on it to long.
ReplyDeleteI think that if they are mature enough and can handle taking care of it and not doing stuff there not supposed to they can have a phone at what ever that age is
ReplyDeleteI agree some younger kids are a lot more mature and responsible for taking care of the phone, meanwhile older kids shouldn’t be allowed with that responsibility
DeleteI was roughly like 11 or 12 when I got my first Phone and it was so when I was out with my friends doing stuff I could have something to keep in contact with my parents. I will give my kids a phone when I feel that they are responsible enough to have a phone and I'll set groundrules for having a phone.
ReplyDelete