A child’s first smartphone is a modern "rite of passage" and today's parents face a challenging decision – when is the right time? Peer pressure and fear of missing out loom heavily, yet there are significant risks to introducing a smart device before a child is ready. On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry talks with psychologist and creator of iParent101, Dr. Adam Pletter, about developmental readiness and practical steps for safely introducing a “pocket-sized computer” that allows access to the entirety of the internet. Drawing on his clinical experience and work with both parents and adolescents, Dr. Pletter describes the signs parents can look for to determine whether a child is ready for a smart device, the benefits of parental controls and family communication, and what to do if a child was given access before they were ready.
In this episode, you will learn:
- How to spot the signs that a child may be able to handle the responsibility of smartphone ownership.
- Why parents and caregivers should plan ahead for adult content exposure when considering the introduction of a smartphone.
- How easing into personal device ownership with a less-connected “dumb” device is often helpful to prepare children for full smartphone access.
- Strategies to navigate conflict around child smartphone ownership and media use.
- How to advocate for safer smartphone design that defaults to child safety and privacy.
- Why parental controls and family media plans should be part of an evolving and collaborative conversation with kids around screen use.
For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)
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Follow Children and Screens on:
Facebook: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development
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LinkedIn: Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development
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Bluesky: @childrenandscreens.bsky.social
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Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
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