{"id":9163,"date":"2018-10-17T14:15:41","date_gmt":"2018-10-17T13:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/screentimelabs.com\/?p=9163"},"modified":"2022-03-18T05:15:54","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T05:15:54","slug":"smartphone-use-by-age-setting-appropriate-limits-for-your-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/screentimelabs.com\/blog\/smartphone-use-by-age-setting-appropriate-limits-for-your-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Smartphone Use by Age: Setting Appropriate Limits for Your Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Parental

What age is the right age for a child to have their own phone, and how long should they use it?<\/p><\/div>\n

All Kids<\/strong><\/p>\n

First of all, there are certain times of day and night<\/a> that should be no-phone time, no matter what. School hours, family dinner, bedtimes, and any other structured times where kids need to focus and don’t need any more distractions should be strictly phone-free.<\/p>\n

Another point to consider is screen time means all screens, not just phones. Laptops, television, game consoles, and other screens need to be included in with the phone.<\/p>\n

0-5 Years<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s generally recommended by pediatricians and others that very young children be largely kept away from screens of all types. Up to one hour of screen time is fine, but it should be carefully curated by parents and done under their close supervision, with a view to educational, age-appropriate content.<\/p>\n

6-12 Years<\/strong><\/p>\n

As kids get older, you can loosen up the rules, slightly, but you should still keep overall screen time at two hours or under, according to experts. They also don’t recommend issuing kids a smartphone. If safety or contact is a concern, kids on the older end of this range can be given a flip-phone with no internet access.<\/p>\n

Also important is content monitoring. This is the age when marketing machines<\/a> and abusive app and game design really kicks into overdrive, which can hook self-aware adults, not just kids. Parents should know exactly what apps kids want to download and how they work. Parental control software can be invaluable in this situation.<\/p>\n

\"Parental