Yet another article for those of you who claim smartphones are just fine for tweens and teens

[Anonymous]

There seem to be many people on this board who fail to recognize that smartphones and social media can be harmful for tweens and teens. These people tend to show up in threads that claim all 12 yo have iphones and are using Snapchat and there's nothing wrong with it. Again, this is just the latest article I've seen on the subject.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/teenage-depression-and-suicide-are-way-up--and-so-is-smartphone-use/2017/11/17/624641ea-ca13-11e7-8321-481fd63f174d_story.html?utm_term=.0ff7a8799732&wpisrc=nl_health202&wpmm=1

[Anonymous]

Did you read the article? It is advocating for LESS screen time - limiting it to 2 hours or less per day. It says nothing about how tweens and teens should not have smartphones.

[Anonymous]

Smart phones are the current technology. You are foolish to think you are doing your teen a service by making him/her use a flip-phone to communicate!

The article talks about screens - all screens. And I agree with the article but your belief that it is the evil smart phone that is causing them to spend too much time online.

[Anonymous]

I always point to this when my 15 YO whines that we only give him a flip phone.

You can text. You can call. But I see no reason why having internet is important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Smart phones are the current technology. You are foolish to think you are doing your teen a service by making him/her use a flip-phone to communicate!

The article talks about screens - all screens. And I agree with the article but your belief that it is the evil smart phone that is causing them to spend too much time online.

If cocaine dispensing phones were the 'current technology's would you buy one for your kid so they can 'fit in?'

And yes, screens are the real issue (along with social media that makes people - especially already self-conscious teens - feel lonely and ignored if they aren't in constant contact) - but how do you limit your teen to an hour a day when they have all of that on their phone 24/7?

Personally, I'm the parent. And I don't care if everyone has a smart phone. The only reason I have one myself is because my work insists I do, and I rarely even keep it on me when not actually at work. My kids (17, 15) have flip phones they got at age 15 without a plan (tracphone). They certainly beg and moan for a smartphone, but I see no reason to give in.

Phones are tools to stay in contact. They are not gaming devices, they are not computers, they are meant to make calls, and receive text messages. Both my son's flip phones can also receive email, which I have no issue with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smart phones are the current technology. You are foolish to think you are doing your teen a service by making him/her use a flip-phone to communicate!

The article talks about screens - all screens. And I agree with the article but your belief that it is the evil smart phone that is causing them to spend too much time online.

If cocaine dispensing phones were the 'current technology's would you buy one for your kid so they can 'fit in?'

And yes, screens are the real issue (along with social media that makes people - especially already self-conscious teens - feel lonely and ignored if they aren't in constant contact) - but how do you limit your teen to an hour a day when they have all of that on their phone 24/7?

Personally, I'm the parent. And I don't care if everyone has a smart phone. The only reason I have one myself is because my work insists I do, and I rarely even keep it on me when not actually at work. My kids (17, 15) have flip phones they got at age 15 without a plan (tracphone). They certainly beg and moan for a smartphone, but I see no reason to give in.

Phones are tools to stay in contact. They are not gaming devices, they are not computers, they are meant to make calls, and receive text messages. Both my son's flip phones can also receive email, which I have no issue with.

Yes, Dear, smart phones are exactly the same as cocaine dispensing phones.

Do what you want with your poor kids. My kids have smart phones and still manage to be athletes, top students - and both in class leadership positions as well. Having any devise does not mean they are addicted to said devise.

[Anonymous]

The denial continues.

[Anonymous]

How about you raise your kids the way you want to and let other people worry about their own kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smart phones are the current technology. You are foolish to think you are doing your teen a service by making him/her use a flip-phone to communicate!

The article talks about screens - all screens. And I agree with the article but your belief that it is the evil smart phone that is causing them to spend too much time online.

If cocaine dispensing phones were the 'current technology's would you buy one for your kid so they can 'fit in?'

And yes, screens are the real issue (along with social media that makes people - especially already self-conscious teens - feel lonely and ignored if they aren't in constant contact) - but how do you limit your teen to an hour a day when they have all of that on their phone 24/7?

Personally, I'm the parent. And I don't care if everyone has a smart phone. The only reason I have one myself is because my work insists I do, and I rarely even keep it on me when not actually at work. My kids (17, 15) have flip phones they got at age 15 without a plan (tracphone). They certainly beg and moan for a smartphone, but I see no reason to give in.

Phones are tools to stay in contact. They are not gaming devices, they are not computers, they are meant to make calls, and receive text messages. Both my son's flip phones can also receive email, which I have no issue with.

Yes, Dear, smart phones are exactly the same as cocaine dispensing phones.

Do what you want with your poor kids. My kids have smart phones and still manage to be athletes, top students - and both in class leadership positions as well. Having any devise does not mean they are addicted to said devise.

Device, genius

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Personally, I'm the parent. And I don't care if everyone has a smart phone. The only reason I have one myself is because my work insists I do, and I rarely even keep it on me when not actually at work. My kids (17, 15) have flip phones they got at age 15 without a plan (tracphone). They certainly beg and moan for a smartphone, but I see no reason to give in.

Are you the OP? If so, and you don't care if everyone else has a smart phone.... good for you I guess.

You have teens with flip phones and that's working great for them (well except for the begging an moaning but, that builds character right?) Presumably the 17 year old can get a smart phone at age 18 if she/he can afford it.

[Anonymous]

So 50 years ago, when land lines were more widespread, would you be Lamenting the decline of letter writing and the patience in waiting for the mail?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smart phones are the current technology. You are foolish to think you are doing your teen a service by making him/her use a flip-phone to communicate!

The article talks about screens - all screens. And I agree with the article but your belief that it is the evil smart phone that is causing them to spend too much time online.

If cocaine dispensing phones were the 'current technology's would you buy one for your kid so they can 'fit in?'

And yes, screens are the real issue (along with social media that makes people - especially already self-conscious teens - feel lonely and ignored if they aren't in constant contact) - but how do you limit your teen to an hour a day when they have all of that on their phone 24/7?

Personally, I'm the parent. And I don't care if everyone has a smart phone. The only reason I have one myself is because my work insists I do, and I rarely even keep it on me when not actually at work. My kids (17, 15) have flip phones they got at age 15 without a plan (tracphone). They certainly beg and moan for a smartphone, but I see no reason to give in.

Phones are tools to stay in contact. They are not gaming devices, they are not computers, they are meant to make calls, and receive text messages. Both my son's flip phones can also receive email, which I have no issue with.

Smartphone are computers and not tools to make phone calls and receive texts. You choice is to approach with caution, whether because you don't care about this particular aspect of technological development or afraid of it or simply don't like it. It like insisting on buying an old carburated car without power steering and power breaks so you don't have to deal with electronics.

[Anonymous]

Smart phones for kids are really bad if the parents are lazy and don't parent. Smart phones in the hands of teens or (especially) tweens requires a ton of parenting. And not everyone is up for that. For those of us who are, smart phones are just fine.

[Anonymous]

Did any of you saying you are the best parents and your teens are fine read the article?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Personally, I'm the parent. And I don't care if everyone has a smart phone. The only reason I have one myself is because my work insists I do, and I rarely even keep it on me when not actually at work. My kids (17, 15) have flip phones they got at age 15 without a plan (tracphone). They certainly beg and moan for a smartphone, but I see no reason to give in.

Are you the OP? If so, and you don't care if everyone else has a smart phone.... good for you I guess.

You have teens with flip phones and that's working great for them (well except for the begging an moaning but, that builds character right?) Presumably the 17 year old can get a smart phone at age 18 if she/he can afford it.

Nope, the person you quoted wasn’t OP.