Giving any device to a child is a mistake. Allowing a child to have his or her own phone is an even bigger mistake. Children’s minds are so malleable and susceptible to influence, and cell phones don’t provide for great positive life changes. If one disagrees, the following are ten reasons cell phones do not belong in the hands of babes.
1. Children are irresponsible.
Kids are quite famous for running around and losing things. A misplaced phone is always a hassle that no one looks forward to dealing with.
2. Hey, focus!
Cell phones have applications and games that are easily accessible. If a child has constant access to a game, why wouldn’t they want to play it all day rather than sit and do a structured activity for a significant amount of time? They’d much prefer to listen to a song while playing a game and downloading a movie.
3. They need to go outside.
4. Phones stunt brains like coffee!
Research has been done to prove that things like television and cell phone screens kill brain cells. Childhood is meant for building neuron connections – not ruining them.
5. Phones inhibit the learning of social skills.
Obviously if you’re looking at a screen all day you’re not using any social skills, not making any friends, and not learning anything new.
6. Phones are expensive!
Who knew that those little bright screens cost money? Every download and every stream!
7. Phones are easy to access.
Kids absorb things all too quickly, and anything can be found on a phone! All too often cellular devices allow children to view things they shouldn’t, including sex, violence, and inappropriate language.
8. Cyber-bullying is a thing.
No one wants their little one experiencing negative online interactions with people. Giving children their own handheld devices makes things like cyber-bullying so much easier. And although many parents may not admit it, this may allow their child to become a cyber bully.
9. Phones lead to sleep deprivation.
Those growing babies need their beauty rest! We all know how easy it is to stay up two more hours on Twitter or Subway Surfers after we lay down for sleepy time. Something like this to a developing child can be catastrophic. It can also lead to…
10. Bad Grades
If a child is staying up all night, they will either fall asleep or be distracted the next day in school, thus causing them to misunderstand that night’s homework assignment or a simple instruction.