Furaha 1

Yvonne Furaha

Professor Strehle

English 1201

5 July 2020

Phone Addiction

Cell phones and other devices have been a helpful tool in one’s life. In most cases these

powerful devices can be harmful to young children. When it comes to having cell phones, the

age for a child to own one varies with every parent. In the society we live in, cell phones have

completely changed and overtaken the minds of young people especially in today’s generation.

As time goes by social media is encouraged at a young age. Many children received their first

phone in middle school and like most parents, they think their kids are too young to own a

phone. Which is the reason why many question the appropriate age to own a phone for kids.

To begin with, researchers have found that Nielson’s report states “approximately over

45 percent of children in America ages 10 to 12 own cell phones that have service plans”.

Parents tend to feel pressured by their children to provide them a cell phone at an early age.

Many times they aren’t sure when their children are ready for the responsibilities. You may ask

yourself when is the appropriate time to provide a cell phone to your child but there is no correct

answer to that question. Many parents think about providing their children with a phone during

middle school. In reality that decision comes with benefits and risks. Some of those benefits

include the ability to communicate in case of emergencies and also good entertainment. On the

other hand, their health and cyberbullying is to be worried about. The American Academy of

Pediatrics (AAP) state that the risk of the media can include obesity, decrease of sleep, and
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distraction in school. Which can eventually lead to being cyberbullied or being a cyberbully

themselves.

Furthermore into my research question I enjoyed expanding my knowledge on the

Sinclair Library Database page. It is found that there has been an increase of accessibility and

availability in technology in many places around the world. Concerns have been shown by

parents, guardians, and even researchers. Those concerns include benefits and most importantly

the possible risks of technology on children who have access to devices daily. A study has

examined about 1,058 parents’ views of their childrens (aged below seven years old) access and

time spent on a device. Beside that study, according to a survey conducted in 2012 by Ericsson,

Singapore was included in the highest rates of phones and touchscreen devices in the world.

While researching, I have noticed that most of these cites come to agree that cell phones

given to children come with risks. Which may be the reason why parents fear providing a cell

phone to their child. It is a scary thing. The best age to give a child their first cell phone is up to

the parents. Age is not as important as the child’s maturity level. That is what parents should use

to help them decide if their child is ready to own a phone. Many children ask to own one at a

very young age because of peer pressure. Which makes it hard for parents to delay their decision

making.

In conclusion, parents should monitor the amount of hours their children spend on the

internet, especially the young ones. Giving children a cell phone while they are still very young,

for example the age ten is very dangerous. Parents should reconsider the decision of exposing

technology to their children. From what researchers have proven cell phones can damage

children’s brain functions and activities. They should not be the main focus to children. The
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appropriate age of children some say is twelve to seventeen years of age. While others say ten

years and up is a great age to own a phone. Some parents provide a phone to their children

because of peer pressure from their child’s friends. Parents should discipline their children to be

patient. Giving their child a phone because of peers will not only change them but they will also

lose who they are individually.

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Work Cited

Children's, 700. “Children and Cell Phones: Weighing the Risks and Benefits.” ​Nationwide

Children's Hospital,​ 2018,

www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2018/10/children

-and-cell-phones​.

Ehmke, Rachel. “How Phones and Multitasking Ruin Concentration.” ​Child Mind Institute​, 4

Oct. 2020, ​childmind.org/article/kids-shouldnt-use-phones-during-homework/.

Marjory, Ebbeck, et al. “Singaporean Parents' Views of Their Young Children's Access and Use

of Technological Devices.” ​Shibboleth Authentication Request,​ 2016,

sinclair.ohionet.org/login?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebscohost.com%2Flogin.aspx%

3Fdirect&db=eft&AN=113485545&site=eds-live.

Ryan, Lisa. “Kids and Cell Phones: How Young Is Too Young?” ​ChildrensMD​, 2 Oct. 2018,

​childrensmd.org/browse-by-topic/parenting/kids-and-cell-phones/.

Sense, Common. “What's the Right Age for Parents to Get Their Kids a Cell Phone?” ​Common

Sense Media: Ratings, Reviews, and Advice,​ 2017,

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/cellphone-parenting/whats-the-right-age-for-parents

-to-get-their-kids-a-cell-phone