How young is too young for a smartphone? | French study insights

This week, a new French study highlights some shocking statistics about children and smartphone use. Did you know the average age for kids to get their first smartphone is now just 11? Not only that, but they’re spending around 4 hours a day on devices, and 30% of them admit to having trouble sleeping as a result.

As a parent who’s been on my own journey of recovering from smartphone and social media addiction, I want to dive into what this means for our children and their well-being. I’ll share my thoughts, concerns, and some tips for helping our kids navigate this digital world with balance. Let’s start a conversation about how we can guide the next generation toward healthier tech habits!

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:20 French study results
00:39 Screen time
01:23 Parents are also addicted
02:21 Sleep issues
03:00 Social media
04:20 Short form content addiction
07:45 Risks of being online younger and younger
08:30 Leading by example

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[beas_spanish_class]

I got my first phone at age 12, a Nokia 3310 *sighs in nostalgia* and my computer at around the same time but didn’t have internet in the house until I was 16. I got my first smartphone at 22, a BlackBerry.

I’m a teacher of teens and like you mentioned, it’s sad when they come into the classroom looking tired. One day I asked one of them: what time did you go to bed at? And he said: at around 4am. I internally screamed 😵‍💫 also, the attention span they have in class is ZERO. I’m concerned about this generation 😢

(I have no proof but no doubts that, if smartphones had been a thing in my teens years, my parents wouldn’t have let me have one until I was at least 16 or 17) 😅

[hdtravel]

No kid under 18 should be allowed to get a phone.

[Seekerofwisdom-jbb]

You talk so much sense and the amount of views tell me that how few of the people actually realise it. world has gone down the drain.

[philsgaming]

I'm in my mid 50's my first Smartphone was bought when I was in my 30's.

[CagedInSilence]

I think kids should get a smartphone ASAP ... BUT ... it should be preloaded with word processors, encyclopedias, painting apps, coding apps, whatever interest they show ... that way they know how to use these tools beyond social media and texting. I dont think they should be on social media and the Internet at large until much later.

[muschelelchfatale]

I was 27 years old. My first mobile phone was an „Alcatel“. 😂 ps.: in 2003

[samlee]

honestly a kid should be allowed to have a smartphone. dumb phones will do. or even something like the lightphone 3. 21 for a smart phone. if you arent old enough to drink then you arent old enough to have access to the vast universe of the internet.