A survey of 500 parents with children aged between 8 and 13 has revealed almost half of the parents admitted were ‘guilt-tripped’ into buying a phone for their child, while 44% expressed worry that their child would feel left out without one.
Despite initial reservations from 74% of parents, a quarter confessed they handed over a smartphone to their child without discussing their emotional readiness.
The survey indicated that 13% of parents had implemented minimal or no restrictions on their child’s phone usage, with most believing their kids could bypass any controls.
This study was commissioned by Motorola to highlight online resources and advice such as Parent Talk, run by UK charity Action for Children. It aims to spotlight the challenges parents face when buying their child’s first phone.
“Deciding when to give your child their first phone isn’t easy as there is no ‘right’ age,” commented Jo Thurston, a service coordinator for Action for Children, “it all depends on your child and your specific family needs.”
Jo underscored that parents should consider why they need to provide their child with a phone. For example, if it’s purely to text and call, they might consider getting them a basic phone for calls and texts instead of a smartphone.
Jo continued by emphasising the importance of an open dialogue between parents and their kids about how to stay safe online.
Motorala conducted an extra survey which included 500 children aged between 8 and 13 which revealed 44% youngsters were accessing the internet or apps without their parents’ knowledge.
Moreover, during their unsupervised time online, 31% stumbled upon content they said was inappropriate for their age.
“If you do choose to give them a phone – it’s crucial to have open and honest conversations, as well as setting clear boundaries with your child, so you can stay connected, not just online, but in real life too,” Jo said.
Overall, an overwhelming majority of parents still opt for smartphones over simpler devices for their kids. Safety features and GPS tracking are among the top reasons, with 56% of parents acknowledging these as primary benefits.
A representative from Motorola said: “It’s important to ensure children are equipped with the right guidance and boundaries when it comes to smartphone use and internet access.”
Motorola is actively engaging with organisations like Action for Children to support parents with the necessary tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about their children’s smartphone usage.