As society becomes increasingly inundated with technology, more and more children are being given mobile phones, and the age at which they are receiving them is getting lower. Recent studies have shown that 40 per cent of Australian children aged between four and seven already own a mobile phone. Even in the past three years, there has been a 17 per cent rise in mobile phone ownership in children. This trend has stemmed much debate about whether children should be given mobile phones, taking in a whole range of factors including safety, health, education, social problems and mental development. So how young is too young? Ultimately, it’s up to the parents to decide, but before you take the plunge, there are some important things to consider.
Safety, responsibility and communication skills
The main argument used to support children being given mobile phones is safety. For many parents, giving their child a mobile phone allows peace of mind. They feel reassured knowing that the children can be contacted at any time to make sure they are safe, or to keep them updated with any changes in plans. There is also the added security of knowing that if the children are ever in any emergency situation, they can contact the parents quickly and easily. Mobile phones allow parents to stay connected with their children at all times.
Communication technology is such a huge part of life, and is guaranteed to be even more important in the future, so many parents see giving children mobile phones as a way of helping them to learn about these technologies that they will inevitably need to use as they grow older. It is argued that using mobile phones helps children to develop modern communication skills and etiquette from a young age, which will help them to take their place in today’s digitised society.
It is also suggested that using a mobile phone helps to teach a child responsibility. The child has to learn how to take care of it, avoid losing or damaging it, charge it when needed, and work within the financial limits of their plan. Mobile phones also promote greater independence and an ability to be resourceful when children grow older.
Possible dangers and disadvantages
It is possible that using mobile phones at a young age could pose long-term health risks. Although there is not yet any conclusive evidence of this, it is suggested that because children’s brains are still developing, the radio waves may be more harmful for them than for adults. Many parents choose to take the precautionary principle, and decide that until there is proof that mobile phones are completely safe for children to use, then they should not use them.
Psychologists have suggested there may be other health problems, such as children getting overtired by staying up late at night texting their friends. According to some health professionals, this behaviour is not uncommon in children as young as six or seven, with more than a quarter of children who have a mobile phone being allowed to take it to bed with them. On a similar note, mobile phones become a serious distraction in the classroom environment. Many primary schools have already had to put a ban on using mobile phones on school property.
Another danger is the difficulty for parents to monitor their children’s mobile phone use. While having a phone can teach responsibility, this might not be something the child is ready for, and it may expose them things such as cyber bullying. 95 per cent of Australian schools have been forced to ban mobile phones in response to a large occurrence of bullying. This is particularly a concern with modern phones that allow internet access, with email, chat, instant messaging and other features that are increasingly difficult for parents and teachers to control.
It is also suggested that having a mobile phone makes children vulnerable targets for criminals, opening them up to be robbed on the street. The distraction that talking on the phone or texting could also be a potential hazard as children are less aware of what is going on around them, for example when crossing the road.
Precautions
If you do decide to give your child a mobile phone, it is important to sit down with them and chat about all the above issues so that they are well aware of the responsibility they are about to undertake. When children are well informed of all the risks and understand the proper use, having a mobile phone can bring many advantages. Above all, make sure your child understands that the mobile phone is a privilege, and be clear about the limits you want to impose on its use. For younger children, there are many specially-designed kids phones that offer only basic, essential functions, and allow you to control which numbers it is able to call and receive. This is a really good half-way option for until you decide your child is old enough for greater responsibility.