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 will watch this 60 Minutes story in class.
We will watch this 60 Minutes story in class.
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 that students and honestly anybody in general, can try and limit their screen time as much as possible. Only use it when you need it and allow about an hour for leisure. Parents are starting their kids on electronics way too early and that makes it even worse because as you're developing, it can be more addictive than if you're to use them only in your teen years and later after. Not having wifi at home or a phone with data keeps me from being addicted because I don't use it much at home. i think the earliest age for a kid to get a phone is at 14 or 15 because that's when they begin to become more independent and need a way to communicate more and look things up and use it as a tool.
ReplyDeletei agree but disagree. I agree that parents are starting their kids off with cell phones early but i think that kids could get their phones earlier than 14 or 15 because i think that kids are more independent at an earlier age. but i guess it all just depends on the people.
DeleteI agree kids spend way to much time on devices.
DeleteI agree Jackie, parents are starting their children with smartphones at age 9 nowadays. I seen a kid walking around with the Iphone X the other day and I would say they looked around the age of 10.
DeleteI agree with you, nowadays theres a lot of younger kids with phones and there constantly on it.
DeleteI have mixed feelings about your comment Jackie, i do agree parents are starting their kids off fairly early with the technology but it is the 21st century and sooner or later the world is going to be ran by technology so it is better to start early. I also think that kids are very independent in their toddler years and that kids should get a cell phone about 12 years old.
DeleteI can't believe how many 7th graders tell me they have smartphones when I ask for a show of hands in Comp 7! Seems early. Sure, the technology is everywhere, but that doesn't mean that we, as humans, are more mature at an early age.
DeleteI think your statement is true but somethings are not so true. When kids get addicted to there phones, some can't leave there phones alone.
DeleteI do agree that parents start their kids off on phones too early but I think that kids start being more independent before 14-15. I started being more independent when I was around 9 but I guess it all depends on the person and the situation
DeleteI agree but i think if kids are responsible enough when they are younger they can get a phone
Deletei think that if people didn't want to overuse their cell phones then they should try to make a schedule for times that you would use it. I think that i am addicted to my phone because i cannot go a couple hours without it and i just don't like the feeling of it not being on me at all times. I think the earliest age for a child to have a cell phone is 11-12.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you but I don't think that people would make an actual time schedule to use their phones, and even if they did they probably couldn't stay loyal to the schedule.
DeleteI don't think anyone would actually make a schedule and many people won't even admit to themselves that their addicted. When kids got to be 11 and 12 is when a lot of these things can catch on. If you started at that age and you're addicted, maybe that means it happened too early then.
DeleteI agree Lili, if parents are really concerned about their children's usage and screen time, then they should schedule a time for their children to be on their phone.
DeleteYou are right Lili, when people say they don't want to use their phone as much, they don't do anything about it. also when kids get phones, the parents should step in and limit their time.
DeleteI get nervous without my phone, it's an extremely useful device that can help with a lot of aspects of life. While overuse can be an issue, its also a tool that should be utilized.
DeleteI got my first phone when I was 13. I am definitely addicted with my phone which is sad, but true. Having a phone is really nice, but I think you should give your kid a phone when they are responsible enough to use a phone.
ReplyDeletei agree, i think that a certain age really shouldn't be a really big deal on when they get their phones but if age really did matter i would say 11-12. But i think people should just focus on how responsible the kid is in order to have a phone.
DeleteI agree with you, how you said around 11-12 kids should get theres phones but the kid needs to earn there phone and have responsibility.
DeleteParents know their kids - like Lili said (I think) it should be based on how responsible the kid is - which means that it would be different for each one...
DeleteI agree with you, it is a good idea to get a phone for your kid because they start going out and they might need to get ahold of their parent.
DeleteI agree with you. I think when a kid is responsible enough to have a phone and is responsible enough to use the phone properly, then they should get a phone.
DeleteI agree because if you dont trust them then you don't think they're responsible enough.
DeleteKids use there electronics because it is more convenient. Sometimes people have to remember what it was like before phones. Don't get me wrong, i have nothing against phones, but sometimes people have lay off a bit and manage themselves. I also think that referring to "Kids" always being on there phones is stereotypical, because there is a lot of adults with screen time problems as well. I think kids should get like a flip phone around 12 or 13 and a smart phone around 14 or 15.
ReplyDeleteShane I agree with you electronics are really convenient also adults are just as addicted to their phones as kids and also it's not that hard to limit yourself to about a few hours a day on your phone.
DeleteI totally agree with you Shane. Everyone thinks its the younger generation with phone problems, but many adults get addicted even though they think they don't. People now days don't know what its like to look up a word in the dictionary cause they can just look it up on google.
DeleteAnd I honestly think it is the adults fault because if they are crying or are being crabby they just give them their phone to play or watch Netflix, and even like there is youtube kids, and even the kid I babysit he literally just sits on his ipad all night watching youtube for kids.
DeleteI agree with you Shane. Mostly because it's not too bad to know how it was before phones. Kids aren't paying attention in school and they use them to ignore responsibility. And being able to IM means brought an enormous rise in bullying, teen suicide, depression, and a lot more. I'm not against phones and electronics, but I'm not all for them either.
ReplyDeletei agree with you Jackie I'm against electronics i like having it but it does distract you.
DeleteKids use there electronics because it is more useful for getting a hold of your friends by texting, calling, etc. Sometimes people have to remember what it was like before phones. I believe that kids are starting to use their phones more than they should and younger kids are getting more attached. I think that adults are just as guilty with screen time on their cell phone. I think kids should get their first smartphone at age 12. I am addicted to my phone as well as many other kids and adults.
ReplyDeletei agree because adults are just as addicted to their phones as kids are and cell phones are a very useful thing and i think that people really do need them.
DeleteI agree Brooke, adults always complaining about how much we are addicted to our phones but i think they are more guilty than we are. My grandma for example is on Facebook 25/7 and she's always texting me asking if i saw the post she tagged me in and i always tell her no because i'm not on my phone as much as she is. I feel like adults are Hypocrites when it comes to technology and always blame the youth.
DeleteI won't deny being on my phone too much, but I only use it to talk to other people. Phones shouldn't be used at all when in the company of the people i use the phone to talk to, people need to learn to communicate in person.
DeleteI am not addicted to my phone at all. I can go without one for sure. If people really want get ahold of me u can call my house phone
DeleteStudents and myself can limit screen time by a lot. On average, I probably go on my phone for 2 hours out of the day. When I got my first phone I was 13. So that's a pretty good age to get one. Technology has taken over many parts of the world now days.
ReplyDeleteHunter I agree with you 13 is a pretty good age to have a phone, and its not that hard to limit your self to only go on your phone for a little bit. Also I do agree with you that technology has taken over a lot of parts of the world today.
DeleteI agree with you, & I think its good that you limit your screen time like that
DeleteI agree with age 13, but a 13 year old would be really excited to get a phone and probably wouldn't limit their screen time.
Deletei agree, this world is all technology no matter where you go and there is nothing u can do about it. You could definitely limit time spent on your phone but not everyone cares or wants to do that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lili how she said no matter where you go there is going to be technology but you do have a choice to take a break of technology but its hard because with out technology it can be boring and then you just go back on your phone or computer because theres not much to do around here.
ReplyDeleteI think kids should get theres phones at like 13 because kids need to stay in contact with there parents, like when their at a friend's house or a basketball game. Also in case of emergency too you never know what can happen.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you but I think they shouldn't be able to get social media until there 14 1/2 or something
DeleteI agree with what you're saying, but I disagree with Layla about the social media thing, if you get a phone at 13 there is no way your parents will be able to keep you from making social media accounts
Deletei agree with you kaleb because there is no way of getting them off it my little sister is 10 and she always on a computer. she never gets off it if my parents kick her off it she goes watches TV.
Deletei agree at about 13 that is when you start acessing social media regularly that is when i made a facebook
DeleteIn my opinion I think that kids should get their phone around age 13, because at age 13 thats when you actually start do do more stuff like hang out with friends more, Stay at peoples houses, ect. Also your going to need to get in contact with your parents and friend's and with a phone it just makes it easier and more efficient.
ReplyDeleteI agree teen years you do more stuff that would involve a phone.
DeleteI said 12, but 13 would work too.
DeleteI agree, it helps them stay in contact if they have a phone.
DeleteI see a lot of kids that are around 10 yrs old and they have phones and there addicted to it. Not going to lie, i'm on my phone all the time. I think phones are cool to have but people should also enjoy the real world.
ReplyDeleteMy little 4-5 year old cousins are running around with phones and iPads and all that, I personally think thats too young, technology can be addictive and i don't think kids that young should have access to it.
ReplyDeletei agree with you i have no clue who you are but i agree with you kids need to learn how to talk face to face befor through technology
DeleteI think a student should talk to their parents about the amount of screen time they use, if the student feels he/she is addicted maybe try to get some help. There is a feature on the IPhone that allows parents to restrict the phone at certain times, they can monitor their child's screen time. Personally i'm not that addicted to my phone but i can only last about three hours without it before i NEED to check it. I think the earliest age a child should get a phone is 12 .
ReplyDeleteI think kids should have phones around 12 years old. That's about the age when kids start leaving their houses to go out and do things with their friends. If there was an emergency, the kid would need to contact their parents some how. Cell phones are an easy way to do this.
ReplyDeletei agree kids should get their phone at age 12 because it is a good thing to have when you are out.
DeleteI think kids should get phones when they are about 11. I am defiantly addicted to my phone. Having a phone is a good thing because you can get ahold of your friends, family, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think that phones have become an essential part of modern life, and that 13 is an appropriate age for a kid to gain access to technology. I think by that age they've had enough experience to know that phones and tablets aren't the only form of communication. Phones are useful communication tools, but shouldn't be used when with people, face to face communication is exceedingly important.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Ezra, 13 is a good age for kids to get a phone just incase of an emergency.
DeleteI think kids should have phones around 13 years old. Kids around that age start to go out and hang out with there friends. If there is an emergency the need a way to contact there parents. I usually go on my phone for about 3 hours a day. It would also depend on the responsibility of the child.
ReplyDeleteI think kids around 13 should be able to have a phone. Thats when you really start leaving the house more often and you'll need a way to contact your parent or guardian. I think a way to not get young kids addicted to their phones is to have the parent(s) limit screen time. I do think parents are one to blame for not only getting the child the phone, but not limiting screen time for that child. If the kid is under 13, I doubt they know how to control themselves and detach themselves from their phones, ipads, etc.
ReplyDeleteI agree you have to limit screen time for the child
Deletei Think kids should have phone untill there in sports or they have stuff after school bc thats what happened to me i didnt get a phone till i sports or get a job or hang with friends more.
ReplyDeleteits a good thing to not get a phone till you are 14 i didnt get mine till i was 14 and its a good trait to have these days to be able to operate without a phone so i stand with kids not getting phones till they are 14
ReplyDeleteI agree, you really don't need one that early in life.
DeleteI think a kid doesn't really need a phone before being 14 so I agree with it. You don't want them making it there only thing to do and act like they need it to live.
ReplyDeleteI don't think kids should get phones until 13 years old just because of responsibility reasons
ReplyDeleteI think they should get the phone whenever they want if they pay for it but there should be guidlines/rules until there 14-15
DeleteI think kids should be allowed to get a phone whenever they can pay for it themselves if they can afford it and have a job at 12 go for it get a phone but there should be rules inforced so they don't do something dumb
ReplyDelete