Are your kids ready for a cell phone?

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Therefore, we thank you as parents for taking the extra effort to evaluate this decision.

Please answer the following questions to help you as a parent know if your child is ready for a cell phone.

Question one:

How often does your child lose or misplace belongings?

1. Never 2. Rarely 3. Sometimes 4. Usually

Question 2:

How do your children handle talking to you about uncomfortable topics?

1. Super comfortable 2. Quite comfortable 3. Not very comfortable 4. Not very comfortable

Question 3:

What policies does your child’s school have regarding cell phone use?

1. Children are not allowed to use mobile phones during school hours
2. The school has rules but I don’t think the kids listen
3. They have rules but they don’t strictly enforce them
4. There are no strict rules regarding the use of mobile phones

Question 4:

Are you ready to set some ground rules and stick to them?

1. We’ve discussed ground rules and time limits
2. I know I have to make rules, but I haven’t yet
3. I have an idea of ​​ground rules but need to solidify them
4. Oh, I need to set ground rules! ?

Question 5:

How do your children handle decision-making when you’re not around?

1. Good, they made a wise choice
2. Excellent! They have good judgment and will accept my feedback if necessary
3. They need help making choices; their orientation is OK
4. Decisions are still being made in our absence

Question 6:

How is your child doing with current family rules regarding screen time (watching TV, playing games, etc.)?

1. good! With a few exceptions, my kids generally follow the rules.
2. we have good days and bad days
3. oops! They follow less and bend my rules for their own convenience
4. There are no rules in our house

Question 7:

Are you trying to model good cell phone habits with your children?

1. Of course, it’s always at the forefront of my mind.
2. I can improve. I haven’t always made a conscious effort to be a good role model for my children.
3. I tried but I forgot.
4. Uh-oh, I don’t think so.

Question 8:

Does your child already have his or her own cell phone?

1. we’ve taken the risk
2. we are approaching
3. I don’t plan to give it away for now
4. No, but his or her sibling already has one

Question 9:

Do you talk to other parents about your children’s use of cell phones and social media?

1. With close friends, yes
2. Yes, with his friend’s parents
3. I’ve been thinking about it, but I haven’t told anyone yet.
4. Absolutely no intention to speak

How would you judge the situation based on the answer choices above?

Add the option values ​​for all answers. If the sum is less than or equal to 10, then you can safely provide your child with a cell phone. If the score is between 11 and 15, your child appears to be somewhat ready, but you may want to spend some time thinking about their social, emotional, and practical readiness. If the score is above 16 points, it means that this stage is still some distance from the current time.

Some parents feel more comfortable providing their children with cell phones as this allows them to stay connected at all times. And some parents only want to provide a phone number if they are absolutely sure. Every parent and situation is different, but most parents agree that providing a cell phone is between the ages of 11 and 16, and on average, 13 is the best age to provide a cell phone.

Hope this helps, thanks.

You might like to read: The Importance of Nature and Forest Time for Kids, AEPS 3 – A Great System for Your Kids, and AI and Python Coding for Kids