I got my first phone, a small Nokia, in my mid twenties when GSM network newly came to my locality, let's leave that side because we all know that our time has passed and children of nowadays are sharper, we are in another age entirely and phones and sim cards are more affordable now.
So, at what age should a child be given a phone?
Some of these children will go on social media and watch adult stuff, some even have social media accounts. Remember that Chrisland school 10yr old girl and the Dubai excursion back then? How it was discovered that she was on Tiktok doing adult stuff? I thought the parents above were being careless for giving their young children browsing phones.
Now my oldest child is 12 going to 13 but I have not given her a phone yet, she uses my phone for her home work. This girl discusses the latest Tiktok challenge, latest music, etc with her sister, my wife tells me.
Now my oldest child is 12 going to 13 but I have not given her a phone yet, she uses my phone for her home work. This girl discusses the latest Tiktok challenge, latest music, etc with her sister, my wife tells me.
I don't have Tiktok on my phone. How did she know these things?
Her friends in school.
Phones are banned in her school but some students sneak in theirs and after closing, other students gather round and watch stuff.
My goal of keeping her away from bad things on phone is defeated, what do I do?
Proper training.
Talk to them, make them know God, pray for them, show them love, live by example and watch them closely.
Train your own child well, phone or no phone. That is what I realized.
Even the ones that don't have access to any phone at all know the things that happen on Tiktok. Their friends discuss these things in their presence.
ReplyDeleteWe should just give them proper training, watch them and back it up with prayers like you said.
True. They know everything.
DeleteWe should try our best and leave the rest for God
Thanks for the reminder,I have 3 daughters.
ReplyDeleteI am of the opinion of being a parent meaning exerting your authorities and also being their best friends having quality age appropriate conversations with them.
ReplyDeleteWe live in a world were we constantly need to pray and teach our children the way of God and morals.
We as parents should also try and be good models to them.
All of these have been happening in old times, social media just made it seems like all this social vices are new.
It is well!
There are still cellphones being made with basic functionality, just calls and texting, they have no connectivity to the internet. These phones are great for children and seniors.
ReplyDeleteMost parents getting their children phones are doing so to gain a sense of protection, since telephone booths no longer exist. They just have no knowledge that basic phones are still being made.
The internet enabled ones keep them busy and helps with their homework. These phones also broaden their knowledge, if used right.
DeleteIt's sad but we all have to admit that we are in the digital age already and just have to flow with it while still controlling what we can and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteI know my kids will get to use phones early so I won't bother fighting it. They already use a tab and an iPad respectively already just for cartoons so I know it's inevitable for mine.
Facts! I was telling my sister that You Tube is now automatically translating videos to the native language of the viewer, so the language barriers are being removed. Ai will be bigger than the internet or even cellphones. This thing is going to revolutionize everything that we do and how we do it. I feel for parents of today, they have a whole lot more to be concerned about abd protect their children from than when I was growing up. Perhaps it is good though, parents will be more active in their children’s lives than being lazy and depending on the school and religion to raise them.
DeleteTraining up a child is the hardest job on earth .
ReplyDeleteBible says "train a child in the way he should go when he grows up, he will not depart from it". Parents should try not to indulge their wards in some certain things, they should stand their ground in total obedience to rules and regulation. A child still in secondary school is not supposed to have a personal phone IMO.
ReplyDeleteThey will always learn adult things outside because they will mingle with children who have access to phones at home and in return they will learn what you are preventing them from.
ReplyDeleteThe best is to talk to them, guild and watch properly and always pray for them.
my daughter of 3+ has a tab she uses to watch cartoons. she can navigate YouTube like mad. I know she will use phone early. i pray i can monitor her when she starts using it
ReplyDeleteHonestly there's very little we can do other than do our best to guide them right. Because what you think you're shielding your children from, they'll be exposed to it out there. Constantly engage them, be their friend so they'll be free to talk to you about anything. Try not to freak out when they say or ask about some things, so you'll be able to guide them right per adventure they've gotten the wrong information. May God help us as parents because it's not easy now in this time and age.
ReplyDeleteI'll try my very best to train my children very very well and leave the rest to God.
ReplyDeleteBut then, they will certainly not own a phone till they're through with secondary school and while they're growing up I'll do as much as possible to limit watching of cartoon to the barest minimum.
SO HELP ME GOOD.
🙏🙏🙏
When I have data, I give my kids my phone so they can watch cartoons or educational content on TikTok.
ReplyDeleteI dnt Give My Kids Phones ooo
ReplyDeleteMy Phone Nah My Shop ooo..
My Daughter Can Operate Ehen I really Dnt know how she does That
I Decoded My Phone
Nah Her Papa Phone ,MIL ,SIL Phone she dey use Some times But Just To watch Cartoons..
I used To Be On Alert Especially When She's With Her Father's Phone cos Hmmm Make I No Talk Abeg..
Although He Put Code for Whatsapp And You Tube..
May God Keep Helping Us Parents 🙏
Hello iya Boys
That channel where parents can control what their young ones watch should no longer be relevant cause they now run their shows.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for talking about this. My kids are not getting phones till they turn 16
ReplyDeleteLook, let us be honest here, you can’t bubble-wrap a child from the world forever - but you can build the kind of trust that helps them walk through it with you by their side. Locking a phone won’t lock their mind - curiosity is wild, and it doesn’t wait for permission. Delaying phones might feel safe, but sometimes it just drives them underground, where the real danger grows in silence. Your girl already hears the world, and if your voice isn’t guiding her through it, someone else’s will. The phone isn’t the enemy - disconnection is. When you're ready to talk, really talk, and listen without judgement, then she’s ready, too. It’s not about shielding her from the storm - it’s about teaching her to face it, knowing she’s not alone.
ReplyDelete