My son is begging for a smartphone. He's responsible with his iPad and does ok in school but I'm worried about what he'll do with it when I'm not looking. What age did you guys let your kids have phones? Any recommendations for parental controls that actually work? Don't want to be the strict dad but also don't want him addicted to TikTok.
The responsible thing is great but 12 is still young for all the stuff that comes with it. Maybe a flip phone for calling you? Gives him some responsibility without the rest.
Yeah I'd pump the brakes here. Responsible with an iPad in your house is way different than out in the world with a phone. Trust your gut.
I get the concern man. We set up screen time limits and made it clear there are certain apps that are off limits until he's older. Helps knowing what he's actually doing with it.
With four kids and different ages, I've learned the hard way that the responsible iPad kid isn't always responsible with a phone. Maybe try it with some hard boundaries first and see how he does.
The iPad thing is different than a phone though. A phone means social media, texting, all that stuff. I waited until my oldest was 14 and don't regret it.
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This is the exact conversation I'm dreading with my son. He's only 9 but I can see it coming. How are you thinking about handling it?