Reply to Tell me why you don't let your teen have a smart phone?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Have you taken the time to look around Instagram, for one, and see all the things your kid can be exposed to from the comfort of their own phone? I have an Instagram account and over 70% of its content is not something I want my kids seeing/reading. From pictures and videos (sexual, violent, pro-eating disorder, drug relates content, etc) to user comments (bullying, harassing, soliciting, etc). Its just not something I think my kids need and it comes with too many possible "side effects".[/quote]

Not to mention--cyber-bullying, sexting, and the million+ other ways kids can get into trouble using the internet.  At home, we keep the computer in a public space where I can walk by at any time to see what she's working on.  We can put the router on a timer so we control when she can even get on the internet.

So what if they can't delete their browsing history?  How do you know what they saw/sent on Snapchat?  Or what photo they took and sent from their phone?

Buy your kids whatever you want to buy them, but are you really so stupid you can't imagine why other parents would make a different choice?[/quote]

The simple thing that most parents forget is that even if you don't get your kid a smart phone, it won't mean that they aren't exposed to this stuff.  We didn't have HBO but my friends sure did. You give them a flip phone and keep the computer in the family room, but Timmy's family doesn't. Better to get it for them, work with them, talk with them and teach them  than stick your head in the sand.  [/quote]

This is such a ridiculous argument. Timmy and his family are what economists call a "sunk cost." Your kid will be exposed to Timmy and his family whether you buy your kid a smart phone or not.

Now, do you want to *add* the problems/temptations of a smart phone to Timmy and his family and all the other shit out there? Do you want to *add* opportunities for your kid to do stupid shit on the internet? Why? The reality is that no one needs a smart phone in order to learn about the internet and its pros, cons, and dangers. There are plenty of teachable moments with your standard desktop.

Somehow we've talked ourselves into this narrative that younger is better. We forget that many of us were adults when we were first exposed to the internet, and yet somehow, even without early exposure and my parents' guidance, I've never taken naked pics of myself with my smartphone and posted them to instagram or gotten in trouble at work because I've been bullying a colleague on email. The reality is that, as with drinking and sex, there is no downside to delaying exposure to things that can be fun and compelling and dangerous. The older you are, the wiser you are, the more self-awareness, and life experience, and self-control you have. Period.[/quote]

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