19% of 8 year olds have a smart phone?

@Daelii (5619)
United States
June 15, 2021 9:07pm CST
I was sneaking online to check out mylot and email today and an advertisement about child safety popped up saying 19% of 8 year olds have a smart phone. WHY? I really don't understand it? I believe that each parent can decide what is best for their family and children. I know some families who use a smart phone because its so amazingly developed it helps manage health concerns like diabetic blood sugar levels and stuff like that. At times, I have thought about getting a phone for my children because while they attended a physical school there had been quite a few issues with the bus system. My kids NEEDED a way to call whenever the bus got stranded or they forgot to stop and let my kids off as it happened quite often. Overall, I just don't feel like my children need a phone. When they are much older and have jobs or are volunteering at places, sure I can see a need for a phone. Otherwise, I just don't get why one is necessary for a child? How old were you when you got your first smart phone or cell phone? Is this really the new norm for children?!
19 people like this
23 responses
Sanjeev
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
16 Jun 21
I got my first smart phone when I was 35 years My kids are 13 years and they still don't own a smart phones. These days because of the online classes I have given them out old smart phones temporarily.
4 people like this
Sanjeev
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
16 Jun 21
@CuriousGab in our time there were on smart phones so got late otherwise could have got it at the age of 21 years.
3 people like this
Jerr
@CuriousGab (3251)
• India
16 Jun 21
@sjvg1976 You got it quite late. I got my smartphone 9 months ago. That too because I had online lectures. I wouldn't have bought one if there were no lectures.It makes me waste my time
5 people like this
Jerr
@CuriousGab (3251)
• India
16 Jun 21
@sjvg1976 But people were more engaged in physical activities .They were active and creative that time. Now I can see everyone busy in their smart phones.
5 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (457918)
• Switzerland
16 Jun 21
When I grew up we did not have smartphones. I usually had a quarter with me just in case I had a problem and I needed to call my Mom, there were phone booths everywhere. I think that kids use too much their phones in our days.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (457918)
• Switzerland
16 Jun 21
@Daelii I agree, we lived without for many years, now some people are totally phone dependent.
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
I feel that way too! I also think parents can use them to much as well.
1 person likes this
Karen Hellier
@Kouponkaren (5488)
• United States
16 Jun 21
@LadyDuck I agree with you.
1 person likes this
Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118421)
• Gainesville, Florida
17 Jun 21
I made my two kids wait until they were in middle school before they got their first phones. And I limited their screen time so that they learned to balance their lives between tech gadgets and the real world.
1 person likes this
Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118421)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jun 21
@Daelii That's a smart way of getting them to read! I always considered myself very fortunate that both of my kids took a love to reading early on in life.
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
17 Jun 21
that sounds very reasonable! I limit my kids screen time too. In general if they want 30 minutes they need to read two chapters in a book.
1 person likes this
CarolDM
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Jun 21
My opinion is 8 y/o is way too young for smart phones. I was an adult of course.
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
It seems so! there are a lot of stories of kids accidently charging huge game bill credits when they use their phone or parents phone....
1 person likes this
CarolDM
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Jun 21
@Daelii They need to be parents of their children instead of their friend.
1 person likes this
Karen Hellier
@Kouponkaren (5488)
• United States
16 Jun 21
Well, cell phones didn't come out until I was an adult. But my kids got their first Smartphones at 13. They were in the 8th grade and I guess we felt the time was right because they went to a middle school and I worked about 2 miles away and they would call me to come and get them after their practice was over, their study group was done,etc. I just stayed at my office until they were ready, rather than go all the way home, or sit in the parking lot for hours. 8 years old does seem very young to have a phone...I agree with you.
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
I remember keeping a quarter to call my mom from the phone booth that was outside the school's front desk entrance door when she did something similar! Times seem to really have changed! I can't even remember the last time I saw a real working pay phone...
3 people like this
Karen Hellier
@Kouponkaren (5488)
• United States
16 Jun 21
@Daelii I know what you mean. They are few and far between. When I was growing up, it only cost a dime to use a pay phone. My mom always made sure to ask me if I had a dime with me when I was going on a date...just in case!
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
@Kouponkaren I kept a quarter in my shoe "just in case"!
1 person likes this
Mifth221
@miftha (1621)
• Bekasi, Indonesia
16 Jun 21
i got my first smartphone when i was 19 years
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
Awesome! is it ok if I ask what was your primary reason for getting a phone?
1 person likes this
Mifth221
@miftha (1621)
• Bekasi, Indonesia
16 Jun 21
@Daelii for work
1 person likes this
Notlilie
@prinzcy (32322)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 21
Handphone was a luxury back then. I got mine when I was in university. I still have the same number until now.
1 person likes this
Notlilie
@prinzcy (32322)
• Malaysia
16 Jun 21
@Daelii how do you use a beeper?
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
They sure were! I also remember having beepers! That is great about keeping the same number!
1 person likes this
aubrey
@averygirl72 (37716)
• Philippines
16 Jun 21
Parents let their young children be busy with phone and enjoy quietly in the house
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
That they do! I keep books and crafts for them! if they can't play, they can create! haha
prashu
@prashu228 (37526)
• India
16 Jun 21
I got my first phone when I was in college, that too when I was going for some biological tour . But many things changed now. Yes parents are the ones to decide what is best for their children
1 person likes this
prashu
@prashu228 (37526)
• India
16 Jun 21
@Daelii yes that's how cell phones were used in the beginning...but you see now.such drastic changes..
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
same! I also technically shared my "first cell phone" with my mom. She bought two cellphones that could call places but also use like a walkie talkie. We did the later since it didn't cost money for minute use of a phone call. Whoever was leaving would take one and another was left with the other!
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (95042)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Jun 21
I didnt have to worry about it when I was raising my kids. Cell phones were still extremely rare. I was around 50 when I got my first one.
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
I wish some of those norms were still the norm today! instead of playing in person, life for any kids is digital. :(
1 person likes this
Danna B.
@db20747 (43426)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
16 Jun 21
Kids are hip these days! What they do in kindergarten I didn't learn til decades later!
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
LOL! isn't that the truth! I was shocked at some of the things my oldest was learning about in kindergarten when she started!
1 person likes this
Danna B.
@db20747 (43426)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
16 Jun 21
@Daelii that is the problem with a cellphone, and why it's a good idea to wait til they're older
April
@thislittlepennyearns (58119)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
16 Jun 21
Both our kids have smart phones. And its because both of us work, and they need a way to get ahold of us when they get home from school. The older one is old enough to watch his sister for a few hours during the day while we are at work etc, but he's also at that age where he doesn't want to share things with his sister. So she got a phone this year about a month after she turned eight. It's not a overall thing you can't just say because one eight year old isn't old enough or mature enough to have a phone, it doesn't mean every single eight year old is that way.
1 person likes this
April
@thislittlepennyearns (58119)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
16 Jun 21
@Daelii it makes sense to me. Parents have to work. Kids should have phones.
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
That is so true that kids are all different even if they share the same age! I can see and understand that different kids may have different uses for having a phone or not having one. I was and still am surprised that roughly one in five kids that are 8 may have a phone! It just seems like a lot. Looking into numbers it just seems like its a more popular trend that kids are having them.
Arunima Singh
@arunima25 (85265)
• Bangalore, India
16 Jun 21
I am very particular about it. They don't get it unless they need it. I gave my old phone to my elder daughter last year when she turned 16. She needed it for her various group projects in school. My younger one is 15 now and she has to wait another year. She uses my phone when she needs
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
That sounds great! I do let my kids use mine when they are talking to a relative. so far, they really don't really have a need for their own as they are still young kids.
1 person likes this
Arunima Singh
@arunima25 (85265)
• Bangalore, India
16 Jun 21
@Daelii Actually most of them do not need it. There may be few cases where it is required. It is more to follow the crowd, be cool in the latest trend and peer pressure than the actual need. Parents too give up as they can not provide a logical reasoning to them.
Rashna Gandhi
@Rashnag (30598)
• Surat, India
16 Jun 21
I feel our times were different. Children can be given phones but they should also be made aware about its use which not many parents do
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
True! there are also special kid phones that can only call parents!
1 person likes this
Kayla Tsukino
@kaylachan (57561)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Jun 21
I got my first landline phone when I was about 16, and my first cell phone when I was 18. I can understand both sides of the coin. Smart phones do help track health problems. However, it's not necessary, as there are wearables that do the same thing. Parents can always install a companion app on their phone, to monitor their child's numbers. So really, a dumb phone would be suitable for emergency calls with emergecy contacts only. 8 year-olds don't need smart phones. When they hit their preteens (11-12) or their teens 13-17) and have active lives. then it might be time to slowly upgrade them. by the time they start driving, is when they should get smartphones. but little kids don't need them.
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
I always remember having a landline number as a kid. Technology sure has increased a lot! There sure does seem to be an option for just about any family use or need! I really enjoy the fitbit! Most of these types of things I don't remember existing when I was a kid. If they did, I didn't know about it! haha
Lenore Plassman
@sallypup (57812)
• Centralia, Washington
16 Jun 21
I got my first flip phone when hubby and I moved into the county. Daughter was worried for our safety, if something happened to us on the road. Neither of us have a smart phone and see no reason to have one. A flip phone is plenty.
1 person likes this
Robin
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
16 Jun 21
I loved my flip phone when I had it! it was so much easier to stick in a pocket and keep going. I just never really used it enough to keep it. then years later, I couldn't find any when I did decide I needed a cell phone for that reason of safety concerns!
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (305864)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
16 Jun 21
I agree with you. Children don't need them. Hmm, let's see. When did cellphones come out? Then when did smartphones come out? I think I was in my 50s when I had my first cellphone and in the last two years for a cellphone, so mid-60s for that. I still don't see the need for one. I don't need a smartphone, but I do need a phone that will allow me to talk on it. Texting is optional.
1 person likes this
Courtney
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
25 Oct 21
I'm not sure exactly, I think around 10-12 for a regular cell. And probably 14 for a smartphone. My nephew is 11 and hes had one since he was around 9 i think.
Dena Miller
@Dena91 (15861)
• United States
21 Jun 21
I was in my 40's when I got my first cell phone!! I agree it is up to the parents, that being said if Mike and I had a child/ren at the age of 8 the answer would be no to a cell phone. If they had been around when I was 8 my parents would have told me no. They never gave us things like that. When my brother and I were old enough to drive we bought our own cars, paid for our own insurance, and paid for gas and maintenance of the car. They wanted to teach us responsibility. For that lesson I am thankful to them.
DB
@dgobucks226 (34343)
•
22 Jun 21
Interesting query. It definitely is a different world we live in since I was a kid. Where does an 8 year old need a telephone? When I was a kid I wasn't going anywhere without my parents near by. Maybe to play with friends in the neighborhood. And if there was an emergency an adult would be the one to contact the parent using the old fashioned method, by a telephone, since cell phones weren't invented when I grew up. I got my cell phone as an adult not sure exactly when. It does come in handy versus using the phone booth (now obsolete). All I can say is kids certainly grow up a lot quicker these days!