By India McCarty
A new study warns parents not to give their children phones before they’re 13 years old, but what should you do if your kid already has a phone?
“The younger the child gets a smartphone, the more exposure to all this impacts them psychologically and shapes the way they think and view the world,” Tara Thiagarajan, one of the study’s authors, told ABC News in an emailed statement.
The study, published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, found that early smartphone ownership led to lower self-image and self-worth. Girls reported feeling less confident and emotionally resilient, while boys said they felt less empathetic. There was also a link between smartphone use in kids under 13 and suicidal thoughts.
In an effort to avoid these kinds of effects on kids, the study’s authors recommended that children not be given cellphones before the age of 13.
For many parents, though, this research comes a little too late. So, what can you do to keep your kid safe if they already have a cellphone?
“Routinely monitor your child’s activity, including apps, messages, and screen time,” Alisha Simpson-Watt, the founder of Collaborative ABA Services, told Parents, adding that parents should also have open conversations with their kids about responsible phone use.
Jerry Bubrick, PhD, a clinical psychologist, agreed, telling the Child Mind Institute, “You’re training your kids to make good decisions over time, so that eventually, when they leave you, you can trust that they will make those good decisions on their own.”
It’s also helpful to make use of many smartphones’ parental control tools, locking inappropriate apps or videos and enforcing screen time limits.
Other experts counseled letting your child have a phone but keeping them off of social media.
“Many social media platforms are not recommended for kids under the age of 13. Even those over 13 may need parental guidance,” Monica Barreto, PhD, Clinical Director of Behavioral Health, FL Primary Care at Nemours Children’s Health, told Parents.
Barreto explained that, by keeping kids — especially young girls — off of social media, parents can avoid those negative feelings of low confidence and body image issues, as well as comparisons to others.
Related: Don’t Give Your Kids Phones Before High School — Here’s Why
While the study’s research stated that it was safer for children to have smartphones after age 13, Ariana Hoet, PhD, Executive Clinical Director at the Kids Mental Health Foundation, emphasized that parents should trust their instincts.
“Some children may still be at high risk at 13 years old,” she said. “Even after a child is over 13 years old, parents should continue to have conversations, check-ins, and monitor their use.”
While this recent study’s research found that it is more dangerous for kids under 13 to own smartphones, there are still safe ways for your child to use their own phone at a younger age, as long as parents are aware and involved.
Read Next: Expert Weighs In On Age Appropriate Devices For Children
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