Should Kids Have a Cell Phone?

My answer? No way!

Kids today are growing up in a digital age, but that doesn’t mean they need a cell phone to thrive. Research published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Institutes of Health, and more shows that excessive screen time and early exposure to social media can negatively impact mental health and academic performance. Kids who get smartphones too early may face issues like sleep disturbances and reduced attention spans. Plus, young brains are still developing and can be particularly vulnerable to the pressures and distractions of constant connectivity.

Why add a kids' cell phone to the mix when you can focus on face-to-face interactions and real-world experiences? Keeping phones out of kids' hands allows them to engage more in physical activity and creative play.

While my opinion may be unpopular, I am certainly not alone in it. A movement called Wait Until 8th, in which parents sign a pledge to not give their kids a smartphone until at least the end of 8th grade, has received more than 70,000 pledges across the US. And many school districts are banning the use of cell phones at school.

What the Experts Say About Getting a Cell Phone for Kids

Most experts stop short of giving a specific age at which a kid should get a cell phone, and instead suggest that parents should look for signs of readiness. These include things like getting their schoolwork done on time, being considerate of friends' feelings, following rules, and more. Parents also need to look for signs of readiness within themselves, including their ability and willingness to monitor their child's cell phone and social media use.

To help determine your kid's cell phone readiness, the AAP partnered with AT&T to create a PhoneReady Questionnaire. Answering these 10 short questions can help you decide if your child is ready to have their first cell phone.

Reasons Some Parents Get a Cell Phone for Kids

According to Common Sense Media, 42% of kids have a cell phone by age 10, 71% by age 12, and 91% by age 14. So, there are many parents who do choose to get their kids a phone.

Here are a few reasons:

The Child's Parents Live in Separate Homes

After a divorce, or in other situations where a child's parents live in separate homes, a kid's cell phone is a way for both parents to be able to communicate with their child at all times.

Connectivity and Safety

Today's kids are busier than ever. Between school, sports, and other activities, many parents like the reassurance of being able to get in contact with their child in case of an emergency, to coordinate pickup, if it's time to come home for dinner, etc. Plus, the tracking feature on cell phones allows parents to know where their child is at all times.

Socialization

Like it or not, we live in a connected world. Texting and calling is how many kids communicate, bond, and make plans as they get older. As their kids' friends start to get cell phones, some parents worry that their child will be left out of friend groups or won't get invited to things if they don't have a phone as well.

Responsibility and Independence

Some parents get a cell phone for kids as a way to develop their independence and give them a sense of responsibility. They want their children to learn to manage their screen time and to use the internet safely and responsibly.

While those are all valid reasons for getting a cell phone for kids, most of them don't require a smartphone. There are other solutions that allow children to call and/or text parents and other approved contacts—and allow parents to track their kids—without the distraction and dangers of the internet, social media, games, and apps.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Cosmo JrTrack 3 

Alternatives to a Kids' Cell Phone: Smartwatches

1. Garmin Bounce

This kids' smartwatch offers the basics: voice and text messaging, plus preset messages children can send to up to 20 approved contacts. Safety-minded parents can set boundaries for locations like school and home and receive an alert whenever their child enters or exits a boundary. The Bounce also offers real-time location tracking, sports and activity tracking, games, and check-in reminders. Bonus: The watch is waterproof up to five meters.

2. Verizon GizmoWatch 3

With this smartwatch, kids can call, video chat, or text or voice message up to 20 approved contacts. These can be guardians or "caregivers" who have the GizmoHub app installed on their phones, or other kids with Gizmo Watches. The watch also features GPS tracking, educational games, parental monitoring, and even a step counter.

3. Cosmo JrTrack 3 

The water-resistant Cosmo JrTrack 3 offers kids unlimited calling and texting to parent-approved contacts, as well as a camera, voice and video messages, GPS tracking, location boundaries, a pedometer, and SOS mode for emergencies.

4. Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation)

Apple Watch's most basic model, the SE, is perfect for older kids and teens who aren't quite ready for a cell phone but are ready for more connectivity. Kids can text and call, listen to music, use Siri, call for help with Emergency SOS, track their health and sleep, and more. Parents can track their child, control the apps they download, share contacts with them, and set up Apple Pay. The watch is swim-proof, too!

Gabb Phone 4 Pro

Alternatives to a Smartphone for Kids: Basic Phones

5. TCL Flip 2

The Flip 2 is a great starter phone for kids because it allows them to send and receive texts and calls and to take and download photos—and not much else. Group chats, which concern many parents, are not possible on this phone. The Flip 2 is affordable and has a long battery life.

6. Gabb Phone 4 Pro

Made just for teens, the Gabb Phone 4 Pro is a light version of a smartphone: it does not have access to the internet or social media apps. What it does have access to is messaging and voice calling, over 300 parent-managed apps, safe music streaming, an upgraded selfie camera, and GPS and tracking. While video calling is allowed, the phone blocks nudity from being sent or received and alerts parents to potentially dangerous communication.

Alternatives to a Kids' Cell Phone: Tracking Devices

7. Apple AirTags

If you're an iPhone and/or iPad family, you can use the Find My app to track these quarter-sized AirTags that are easy to slip into backpacks, sports bags, and more. The batteries in the AirTags last up to a year.

8. Tile Mate

Attach the Tile Mate to your kiddo's items to easily keep track of them. Use the Tile app to ring the Tile when it's within Bluetooth range, or to view the Tile's most recent location on a map when it's outside of Bluetooth range.