5 Signs your Teen isn’t ready for a Smartphone
Studies show that almost 75% of teens around the world own a
smartphone. But just because your teen says, “Everyone else has a phone, why
can’t I?” doesn’t mean you need to get him one.
The truth is most teenagers aren’t yet ready to handle the
giant responsibility of owning a smartphone. So before you agree to let your
teen get one, make sure he’s really ready to have one. Here are five signs that
you’re teen isn’t yet ready to have his own smartphone:
1. Your Teen
Struggles with Other Responsibilities
Carrying around an expensive, breakable piece of electronic
equipment requires a fair amount of responsibility. If your teen loses his
homework, or frequently breaks things because he’s careless, his ability to
keep his cell phone safe is fairly low.
So before investing in a smartphone, consider how
responsible your teen is likely to be with a smartphone. Can he safely carry it
to and from school without dropping it? Is he likely to misplace it when he’s
out with his friends? If so, consider waiting until he’s gained some maturity.
2. Your Teen Doesn’t
Accept Responsibility for Mistakes
If your teen has a smartphone, it’s almost guaranteed that
he’ll make a mistake at one time or another. Whether he forgets his phone in
his locker, or he accidentally downloads an app that costs money, it’s bound to
happen at some point. The way your teen responds to mistakes makes a big
difference.
If your teen tends to lie to cover up his mistakes, or he
avoids dealing with issues when they arise, a smartphone may become rather
problematic. Instead of going to you and saying, “I think I just downloaded an
app with a daily fee,” you likely won’t find out until you get the bill. Before
allowing your teen to take on the responsibility of owning a smartphone, make
sure he can accept personal responsibility when he messes up.
3. Your Teen Doesn’t
Follow Your Rules
If you’re going to give your teen a smartphone, rules should
be put in place. Rules may range from “Your smartphone should be turned in
before bedtime,” to “No using your phone during class.”
If your teen isn’t good at following other rules, however,
there’s a good chance he isn’t going to follow the cell phone rules. So before
you trust your teen to follow the rules associated with managing an expensive
electronic device, make sure you can trust he’s able to follow your rules
consistently.
4. Your Teen Lacks
Self-Control
Smartphones can easily get teens who lack self-control into
trouble. Temptations may include anything from texting while driving to sending
inappropriate messages to a romantic partner. If your teen struggles to
resist such temptations, there could be serious consequences.
Make sure your teen is able to exhibit impulse control
before giving him a smartphone. It’s essential that your teen be able to resist
peer pressure and also that he is able to manage his anger well.
Teens who lack anger management skills may make
impulsive decisions – like throwing the phone against the wall in a fit of rage
or posting a rude comment on social media.
5. Your Teen
Struggles Socially
A smartphone isn’t likely to improve your child’s social
skills. In fact, research shows too much screen time can decrease a
child’s emotional intelligence. If your child already has some social
struggles, you may want to think twice about giving him a smartphone.
Sometimes teens who feel socially awkward bury their faces
in their phones as a way to avoid face-to-face conversations. Shy teens, or
those who struggle to make friends, often find solace in talking to people
online. But the more your teen avoids face-to-face interaction, the more
difficult social situations may become.
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