Much parental responsibility
A child with a smartphone can be smart, but the parents of that child should be smarter. We are able to control the settings, what the child can see and cannot see, the amount of credit available in the phone, and the websites that the child will be able to access. As Spiderman aptly put it: “With great power comes great responsibility”. When we give our children more power, we have to invest more time and effort to see that they don’t misuse their phones. These days, children are technology savvy and we cannot deny our children a smartphone for long. So, we must devise smart ways for them to use smartphones.
From Ms Bindu Sathianesan
Dubai
It depends on the child
There are always risks when it comes to children. There are advantages and disadvantages to having a smartphone and whatever the decision may be, supervision on the part of parents is badly needed. Before allowing your children to use anything that you think may lead to some sort of disaster, precautions must always be there. Some children are smart enough to understand what is good and what is bad for them. So, when allowing them to use any new gadgets, the parents are the only ones who know the capabilities of their children. If they know that their children are smart enough to understand, then let them feel that they are responsible. Otherwise, never trust an irresponsible child to use new technology, which they cannot handle, because parents are the ones who will be sorry in the end. Children using smartphones is not actually a bad idea at all. But strict supervision is very important.
From Ms Milanie Neptuno
UAE
Proper use for a positive impact
Smartphones have now become part of life in this era and children are not excluded in this regard. Most of the children in this part of the world are more actively and deeply involved in using smartphones than their parents, even though many of them don’t actually own one. These smartphones, which contain a whole world of information, now receive total reliance from children. When and at what age parents should allow them to have one should be based on proper usage of these smartphones, so that they bring about a positive impact, whereas wrong and improper usage obviously would have a negative impact on the individual.
From Mr Qassim Mohammad
Dubai
15 is the right age
New technological advances are a part of life and cannot be banned completely from children. What works better would be making children aware of how to use technology properly and constructively. Smartphones can be dangerous for children of young ages. In my opinion, the appropriate age to own a phone is when a child is 15 years old. They can be educated by that age, about the do’s and don’ts, and they will be able to realise the many dangers that surround us by that age. Before that, they can be allowed to play or occasionally chat on a parent’s phone, which is supervised and hence safe. If children need to communicate over the phone, then they can be given a regular phone, not a smartphone, which would serve the purpose of keeping communication active but also keep them safe from the dangers of the internet.
From Ms Shifa Asif
UAE
Too much unknown activity
In my view, smartphones are not suitable for children, especially those who are at a young age. Such devices are dangerous for health, causing damage to eyes and influencing poor diets. Smartphones distract children, leaving them unable to pay attention to their studies. They will no longer be bothered about family and we often see a decline in moral values. Additionally, parents don’t really get to know what their children are doing with phones. If they are on social networks, with whom? They chat and share personal pictures because they don’t understand the risks, rather share them just for the fun of it. I do not think that providing children smartphones is appropriate and one should avoid it. I am not against smartphones, but there should be a limited time for its usage and checks and balance upon those using it.
From Mr Shahzad Shaikh
UAE
Keep children informed
Every coin has two sides to it. This is a gadget-friendly generation and the sooner we accept it, the better. The use of smartphones by children is necessary when they are alone or when they go out for different activities. As a responsible parent, we should limit the use of smartphones. But most of the time, when adults are already addicted to smartphones themselves, how can we expect them to properly restrict children from doing so?
Technology has invaded our world and we can’t deny it. The medium of education has also reformed. Teachers reach out to students and students exchange homework details through WhatsApp. In this fast-paced age, we can’t expect our children to use bullock carts. The best thing parents can do is to be more vigilant and tell children about all the pros and cons of the usage of smartphones.
From Ms Tuhina Bhattacharya
Dubai
Only use when necessary
The philosophy when allowing children to use smartphones is similar to that of using a knife — it can be used to cut fruits, but can also be used to hurt someone. If you are giving the child a mobile phone only for safety issues, it would be good. An example is if you are in a crowd and can’t find your child — knowing he/she has a phone is a relief. But, if you are providing them a mobile phone full-time, there is a higher chance of misuse. So, I think children should have smartphones only when parents really need to keep in touch with them. Otherwise, keep phones under parents’ custody, when they are with them.
From Mr Abdul Jaleel M. V.
Dubai
Provide awareness and training
We are in the 21st century and with technology advancing day by day, the smartphone has become essential for any person. In my opinion, we should educate children about smartphones, its usage and its potential — both good and bad. People are making mistakes due to lack of proper education. So, if we educate our children, I am 100 per cent confident and believe in children’s ability to manage a smartphone. It will lead to smartphones becoming useful tools for children. This way, children are always connected with parents, friends, teachers and are always updated on the latest technology. They can stay ahead of others. There are many educational materials and related apps that children can enjoy on smartphones to improve their skills and abilities. If we fail to guide them, only at that point can smartphones cause danger to children.
From Mr Arjun Dahal
UAE
Monitor through apps?
In this age of technology, children are always vulnerable and wherever I travel, I see children as young as five engrossed in their mobile phones in the virtual world. It’s a serious concern for parents. It’s so easy to connect with the world at the touch of an icon and every parent’s worry is — with whom does their child communicate? I wish there was a code of conduct to regulate access or an application to monitor children until they reach an appropriate age to safeguard their own wellbeing. Children need to value childhood, and to learn and grow into respectful individuals, not just in the virtual world.
From Ms Sandra Jane Peters
Silverdale, UK
A must for safety
Smartphones are a must for children, for their safety. At the same time, parents must keep track of the potential misuse of it.
From Ms Reshma Chowdhury
Dubai
Power to connect is a risk
There must be limitations based on the children’s ages and if a particular child is mature enough. A device like a smartphone works like a ticking time bomb and it’s a huge risk for children. It’s not only smartphones — all kinds of devices that connect you to the world share this danger.
From Mr Mahi Hussain
Dubai
Forget phones, go outdoors
The modern world has enabled children to easily see what they shouldn’t. Now, they have forgotten traditional games, opting for digital ones instead. They should play in open areas and meet people face-to-face.
From Ms Hasna Wati
Pangkajene, Indonesia
Regular phones do the trick
Give children just a regular phone, and not the smartphone. A simple phone can do the tasks effectively needed for keeping children safe. Always supervise children when connected to the internet. They need to be protected and guarded in this wild world.
From Ms Hafizhah Pasha
UAE
Accept the evolution
Technology can seep into our personal space and smartphones are no exception. It’s a blessing, unlike in yesteryears, when my mother used to get anxious until I returned home from school or from a friend’s place. I had guidelines on returning home at previously agreed times or was told to go out only during specific periods of the day. We must set the same guidelines today for smartphones, with regards to its usage and set a pre-approved list of callers for sharing information and chatting. Earlier, the danger used to be real-life stalkers, and now maybe it’s progressed to stalking through smartphones. Guide and make children deal with it. It’s a boon for safety, hands down.
From Mr Hemant Mundhra
UAE
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