When to Give a Child a Phone and Why Some Families Use Landlines ^{CEFR B2}

Parents often ask when a child is ready for a personal cellphone. Rosanna Breaux, a child psychologist and assistant professor, notes that middle school—around age 12 or 13—is frequently when young people begin to sustain friendships and attend after-school activities, creating practical reasons for a phone.

Koeun Choi, an associate professor of human development and family science, explains why some parents return to a home landline. Landlines focus attention on spoken conversation, help develop active listening and communication skills, and do not provide social media, apps, or texting. Because a landline stays at home, it can prompt family discussions about healthy technology use and clearer boundaries between school, social life and family time.

Both experts caution that too much screen time is associated with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, poor sleep and shorter attention spans. They say forbidding technology entirely is not ideal. Instead, research supports open conversation and guided use—what Choi calls active media mediation: talk about content, set expectations, and engage with children around technology.

Breaux recommends parents ask three practical questions before giving a smartphone:

• Is there a practical need for a personal phone, such as activities or travel?
• Is the child generally responsible and likely to follow rules?
• Can the child self-regulate screen time; if not, will parents set clear limits?

Source: Virginia Tech