Kids don't waste time! Their birthday is ages away, but they've already started "singing" to their parents. "I want this, I want that." And among the trendy toys, there's one that isn't a toy: the cell phone. You know how it is: friends have them, we ourselves can't put ours down, it appears in TV commercials. With so much stimulus, it becomes difficult to deny the little ones a phone to call their own. But this topic causes us a lot of anguish! After all, there are many questions: should I give in or deny? What is the right age to give a cell phone to a child? Is it dangerous? Like almost everything in life, there are no definitive answers: what works for one family may not work well for another. But it is possible to follow some recommendations and make the decision with greater confidence. Shall we?
What is the correct age for a child to use a cell phone?
This is parents' main doubt. What most do is postpone the decision as much as possible. But there comes a time when it's no longer possible: the "pressure" increases and you have to decide: do I give it or not? If the child is under seven, it is likely that the device will only be used for play. If it's a smartphone, they will use it to play games and send "emoticons" to friends and family. From then on, it depends on your child's maturity and also their routine: if they already sleep over at friends' houses or participate in school activities where they are alone, it is interesting to have a way to communicate with their parents. Similarly, if you are away from them due to work, it is comforting to have a number to call and find out how things are. But what do the experts say? According to psychologist
Ceres Alves de Araújo, until the age of nine, the ideal is to have a spare cell phone that you can give to the child when they go out. Only after ten or eleven can they have an exclusive device.
How to control its use?
Here comes the worst part: regulating the child's use of the device. Let's face it: there are times when only a cell phone saves us! We have a million things to do and the kid clinging to us. Suddenly, you lend them your cell phone and the magic happens: they stay quiet in the corner and, phew, you
can solve problems in peace. But this peace comes at a price: it's not good for the child to be glued to their cell phone all day. The problems can range from poor posture to obesity, from
relationship difficulties to anxiety. In other words, the long-term damage is enormous. Therefore, the watchword is: control. Set a time limit for them to use the device. It is important that they spend more time on outdoor play and activities. Remember to respect the child's bedtime. It is best not to even take the cell phone into the bedroom. The same applies to when they are doing schoolwork and during meals. But it's not just about policing the child: if you don't put down your cell phone while eating lunch, it will be difficult to demand better behavior from them.
But, after all, do I buy it or not?
Try not to base your decision on the argument that all their friends have one (which isn't always true, by the way). Again, this is a very personal decision, which depends on the family's routine and the child's degree of maturity. The main thing, before giving in to their desire, is to try to guide them on the correct use of technology. Considering that there is not much escape from this virtual world, the best thing to do is to maintain an open dialogue with your children, so that they know how to use the available resources safely. And always pay attention to the contacts and content they access. As in any situation and phase in their lives, our participation and support are fundamental. Therefore, giving a cell phone to a child does not have to be a seven-headed monster. It requires rules and care, but you can survive it! If you liked the post, continue following our updates by following us on
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