Next Steps
You’ve done the research, had the
hard conversations, and have decided to
give your son or daughter a smartphone.
Now what? Here are some next steps to
consider before handing over the device.
Create a set of rules together. Sit
down with your soon to be smart-
phone owner and develop a set of
guidelines for the use of the device.
There are several templates online
that can be used as a starting point.
It is essential to include them in the
creation of these rules and the con-
sequences for an infraction. Mak-
ing them a part of the process will
lead to them having buy-in to the
plan. The rules and outcomes for
misuse may be different for each
child in your household, and that’s
okay. The guideline should be tai-
lored to the individual instead of a
one-size-fits-all approach. Lastly,
be cognizant of flexibility when
creating these guidelines. Don’t be
too rigid. Give them room grow and
adapt over time.
Model the behavior you expect of
your kids. For example, if the rules
you create stipulate no smartphone
use at the dinner table, you need to
put your phone away during that
time as well.
Finally, don’t allow the smartphone
to take away from quality, face to
face interactions with your children.
This is some of the best advice I
found when researching. It is far
too easy to allow the quick back and
forth convenience of a text message
to replace a real dialogue. Remem-
ber to focus on the quality of con-
versations you’re having, not the
quantity. In my opinion, one strong
interaction is much better than ten
weaker ones.
In Summary
The question “What exactly is the
right age to give your son or daughter
a smartphone?” is misleading. The an-
swer doesn’t lie in the age of the child.
The better question to ask would be “Is
my child developmentally ready for this
responsibility?” Smartphones have be-
come part of everyday life. As parents,
you need to educate your son or daugh-
ter on the appropriate, ethical use of a
smartphone. Everyone involved needs
to understand the potential risks when
going down this path. Parents should
work with their young adult to develop a
flexible set of rules and consequences to
ensure correct usage. Providing your son
or daughter with a smartphone can be a
positive for everyone in the house when
the proper support strategies are in place.
Mike Daugherty is a husband, father of
three young children, author, speaker,
Google Innovator, and possible Star-
bucks addict. He is a certified educa-
tional technology leader who has served
in a variety of roles through his eigh-
teen-year career in public education.
Currently, Mike is the Director of Tech-
nology for the Chagrin Falls Exempted
Village School district in Northeast
Ohio. As an IT director he has developed
creative, well thought out solutions that
positively impact teaching and learning.
November 2018 WNY Family 31