If you had a 5 year old would you give them a phone?

[Anonymous]

I didn't have my first phone till I was 16 and it didn't have any apps or anything. Just texting and calling.

At 18 I got my first android and with apps etc.

I see babies having phones nowadays. I don't understand these parents that would let their children use a cellphone. It's not just a few. Everywhere you turn you see a baby with a phone. I remember when I was little I would color, play outside with my friends, play barbies, etc. We had video games but nothing like today. The games were simpler and we still had social connections. We would literally be at our friends house playing, nowadays people play online with people they don't know but build emotional connections with them but never get to really meet them or have a real connection with them. I feel people get more and more immature with technology and social media. I'm generalizing and not coming after anyone specifically.

Did you know that too much cellphone/media usage cause anxiety. We are human and are social creatures. We need to be around others and interact with them. Even if you're a shy person, being around others helps relieve stress.

Anyway I see how too much cellphone usage affects adults and I can't image a little baby that still hasn't developed self control can be given a phone.

I pray for this generation. 🩷

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

You assume the phone belongs to the child and not the parent allowing them to entertain themselves on it. If you’re a mother, you know how difficult it is to keep a small child entertained while also going about your day, the phone is just for the sake of convenience and I’m sure the parent knows to watch out for things their child shouldn’t be exposed to. You’re judging these people off of a singular moment where you observe their lives and assume you know everything you need to know to call them bad people.

[Nikki1989]

Hell NO. My kid can wait until they are old enough to find a job, save and buy one themselves if feel they need to waste their money.

[egarcia1360]

No way. I see little kids glued to phones and tablets like you're talking about and it's depressing. Middle school seems like a decent time, so they can use it to socialize with friends, but not without educating them on the dangers of social media and the like.

[jahaims]

My 5 year old has access to electronics. She has different educational apps but that's it. She does a good job with self regulation. Some days they will use it for a few hours other times they won't touch it for days. It depends on the weather outside etc.

[jshm2]

Yes, if there was a requirement.

You seem under the ignorant impression that phones are mostly just "entertainment". When in fact they have more serious uses.

[Asker]

Please live in reality

[egarcia1360]

What serious use, pray tell, does a 5-year-old have for a cell phone?

[LadyBecks]

No, my kids didn't have phones when they were five.