ok I can get behind a flip phone before high school…. WHAT DO YALL THINK. IS THIS CONTROVERSIAL⁉️

[RAHHHHHH_]

tbh middle school js makes more sense for phones. like that’s when kids start sports and after school activities and hang out with friends way more and it’s js way more important to have a way to communicate to ur kids! social media can wait tho

[Coffees_Cats]

Ahhhh here's my perspective as a child who's gone through this, I grew up a total social outcast because I couldn't do all the cool stuff like Snapchat or TikTok. It seems like a good idea in theory but it only works if every parent does it, otherwise that kid gets thrown into a pit where they can't connect with peers

[aristynmuldoon]

I feel like as a high schooler who's parents tried to do the, "No social media till you graduate" thing, I get where it comes from, but you're setting your child up for failure. In my Freshman year I barely hung out with my friends because they had snap group chats, and the fact I wasn't in them slipped their mind. I was left out on basically everything. Stuff my friends talked about like memes, and planning. In fact, since I'd only be made aware of plans at the last possible second it put more stress on me and my parents. It was also painful being in relationships because I felt like a burden because it wasn't easy to communicate with me. It got so bad that my mental health plummeted. Another thing about this is your child will have secret accounts, ones you can't monitor.
For me, personally, because social media is a huge part of culture now, I would let my children have some apps in 9th grade. Like Snapchat and Instagram. Just because most kids have access to them and it's where most kids plan hangouts. It's easy to forget one person isn't in it, and make plans thinking that everyone is told.
As for a phone in general I got mine in 8th grade because I was in theater and schedule changes happened often.
So for my children personally, I would get them a phone in 8th grade, have a talk about social media. Basically explain how in a year they can have access to big apps like Instagram and Snapchat, but that their accounts will be monitored for safety purposes. I'd stress online safety, and tell them that for a year they should just get used to having a phone, then they can have some social media. Realistically, there will be things as a parent I won't see, but I feel it's important that a child understands a parents perspective, and know that not only should they have trust in a parent but a parent should trust their child.

[maxine_the_fluffy_Flemish]

there are to many middle school preppys who need to have snapchat taken away till graduation
(yall its not that serious just mean that some kids don’t need social media i don’t hate people who are considered preppy just don’t be mean for no reason 😭)

[yk.alexaa]

i agree about the social media, but i think its good if kids get their first phones in middle skl bc it’s easier to contact parents and friends, and if anything happens to them at skl then they can easily notify their parents!

[A_aliyah]

As a kid i can see both sides. Social media sucks and you dont neeeed a phone. But we’re in a forever changing society. Social media is the main form of communication nowadays and without it you feel like an outsider. Then if you dont have a phone all together you never go and hang out with friends because its the kids who make the plans nowadays you dont have your mom call their mom anymore.

Coming from a teen girl without social media but has a phone

[a_bit_nbish]

I totally agree Liv. In middle school you just need to be able to contact people, so texting from a flip phone is fine. When you start to drive, though, then I think getting a smart phone is beneficial

[Abby-Gail]

Personally as someone who is younger and has access to social media, I think it has taught me a lot that my parents never did. And without it I would probably not know a lot of important things that I need to prepare for.but I do understand your point because honestly sometimes I wish I could still have that child innocence again. And with social media comes pressure and comparing yourself to others. So I think I get both sides.

[lillyjohnson]

I did not get any social media until I turned 18 my senior year. It kind of puts this barrier between you and others socially, but at the same time I made due. I had no way to be involved in drama, and saved myself a lot of heartache. In the end, it is the parent’s choice, and each kid is different. I now have a couple of socials, but because I lived so long without them, I am not dependent on them and I am happy with that. Makes me feel better about myself.

[itsbetsynotbetsey]

You will 100% get bullied by at least one person if you do not have a phone once you’re in middle school. Social media, eh. But if you want your kid to have some friends GET THEM A PHONE.

[youraveragebookworm]

i mean i have friends who are really bullied for not having phones. like they constantly lie saying they left it at home so the bullying isn’t worse.

[nwng]

It will make your child's life so much harder socially. Your kids will just get sneaky too. If my parents did that, I would've gotten a phone behind their backs. Instead of being strict about objects, be strict about morals and they should be fine

[SplatDroid]

oh thats not- 😭

i had practically no friends because i wasn't allowed to have social medias until i was 14 years old, and because of that i was extremely uncultured and didn't fit in with kids my age..

i do see the reason to protect them, but honestly, if you just have good safety measures and teach your kids online safety it'll be okay

[daphnekalso]

I agree with your social media rule, but as someone in school, every friend who doesn’t have a phone is constantly left out especially when people are on their phones and the one person is just standing there. Also safety

[AlLEMM]

EXACTLY. The only reason I am asking my mom for a phone is because it would make my life so much easier as a theater kid. Then I wouldnt have to rely on other people to let me use their phones😅

[finch]

As someone who had this as the rule: social media is a huge way to interact with the world anymore, and my parents banning me from it made me into a social outcast. Monitoring the interactions, limiting it to friends and family, and teaching a healthy relationship works better than simply banning it, as it also teaches them to have a healthy relationship with it as well as better understanding of the dangers.

[Lulu.woodbottom]

My friends little sister next to me doing a grwm rn: 👁️👄👁️

[gracepatmore]

I litteraly had a flip phone before highschool it was so embarrassing😭😭

[stevieworkswonders]

i think it depends on each kid individually. i know when im a mom it will probably be different with each kid and it might make my kids upset but i think its important to trust each kid individually and to be aware of their maturity

[Zman]

I am a child of parents who does that and I am suffering from a identity crises right now.