I heard a podcast with the author of this book and the conclusion was similar. He recommends no smartphone before 16. Dumb phones for simple communication can be whenever.
I haven’t read the book yet, but the podcast discussion was fairly informative. I think it was Hidden Brain’s Escaping the Matrix episode.
This is odd advice, when you consider many kids in the same age group probably have access to (or own) a tablet device of some sort. The only difference with a smartphone is the ability to call and text, and portability while staying connected (assuming many tablets aren’t 4G/5G capable).
Or am I missing something here?
A tablet is a device you give your child to use for a limited time, ideally supervised.
A phone is a device they carry around all day and also use while you’re not there.
I won’t give my child a tablet before they’re 11 either. I’d rather give them a desktop PC and a drawing tablet.
But a phone is now pretty much necessary starting with secondary school, unless you want your child to be bullied and socially isolated.Well, at least where I live, phones are banned in schools. So that’s a good start.
hopefully no one is dumb enough to oppose this advice, publicly at least.
Sounds reasonable enough. I think in most of Europe that’s about when kids finish elementary school.
