I’m sure many parents have wondered whether or not their child is ready for a cell phone and with a little arm twisting from the child; just like that they get what they want. Like everything a cell phone comes with pros and cons.

As a parent, the cons should be paid with lots of attention. The rapid pace at which technology is developing is enough to scare anyone into owning such a device purely to make and receive calls.

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There are however a few cases when handing your child a phone becomes acceptable. Many parents give their children phones for safety reasons, like they want to be able to reach their child when they need to. Or vice versa, they give their child the security of being able to reach them whenever he or she needs to.

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I agree with this, especially if your child is home alone after school or walks home alone. If the cell phone is truly for accessing their parents or for children in joint-custody situations, it may be valid.

In most other cases will you be in favour of your child having a cell phone from as early as six-years-old?

Weigh the risks
If your child has a smartphone, he or she has access to websites that may be inappropriate.
They may be exposed to content that is violent and could be related to death or sex.
There are also many other issues such as being deprived of sleep once handed a phone.
Don’t let his/her phone get in the way of their studies either, especially during the fourth and final term of the year.
With many different parenting styles, it’s best for the distraction to be kept away until after studies and exams.

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Wishing the Class of 2017 the very best with their examinations!