Smartphone and social media is like the in thing now. If you don't have a phone or social media in this time and age you're like someone from another planet. All these is due to the numerous advantages that comes with owning a phone. Without a phone, one will be missing out on a lot of things and information.
Imagine what used to be a form of entertainment before now is no longer in use as it used to be, things like radio, television and the likes. Image newspapers going into extinction because all the information we need can now be gotten from our phones
The use of smartphones and internet has made a lot of things easier saving us the time and energy to get some things done like booking tickets and all of that. We can do a lot of things that would ordinarily cost us a arm and leg from the comfort of our homes now without moving an inch. Things like business and banking.
The advantages of smartphones and internet cannot be overemphasize. They are numerous and as it is, a normal adult human being in this generation cannot do without a smartphone and internet connection. It won't kill you but it would be obvious that the person is not from this planet.
As much as the advantages of smartphones, so are the disadvantages and misuse of it. A lot of bad things have happened to some people as a result of using the internet. This brings me to answer the question that at what age should kids be allowed to own smartphones and social media accounts?
I don't think there is a particular age that a child should be allowed to use a smartphone because just as some kids are better behaved than other kids of their age range so is their maturity, sense of belonging and manner but everything still boils down to parental guidance. No matter the age you give a child a smartphone to use, you have to guide and monitor the child until they become adults.
I see very little kids of two, three years and below being glued for hours to the phone screen watching cartoons or whatever. It is really bad. Some parents feel that once the children are with the phones, they won't disturb their parents but they don't think about the implications on the child's brain. I've heard some doctors talk about the effects of the screen on the eyes and the psychological effects on the child's brain. This is a no for me. I don't support the use of phones to children younger than 3years.
There are a lot of negative influence that they may come in contact with but with proper guidance by parents, they would be able to navigate it and come out strong. I think the proper age for one to own a smartphone and social media accounts is at eighteen. When they are responsible for whatever decisions they make, good or bad.
I made use of using a phone and owning a phone. They are different things and that is what I feel about this topic. Children can use a phone with parental guidance but can only own a smartphone and social media accounts at eighteen when they are adults and are responsible for whatever choices they make.
This is my response to Hive Learners community weekly featured content week 167 episode 1 on the topic: SMARTPHONE AGE
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Yours Truly 