Answer:
Generally, kids under 16 usually use cellphones for personal use such as social media, watching silly videos, or creating their own videos. So it seems that a child shouldn’t have the need to have a phone, correct? After all, they only use it to entertain themselves. Well, that’s where I’d like to disagree. Although it is true that a cellphone is most used for entertainment, it can come in handy for situations where you might need to call for help, or when the parent is worried and wants to make sure their child is okay.
You see, kids are adventurous and need to be able to roam free and explore the world. Rather that be by going over to a friends home, going on a field trip, going to the mall, and much more. But a parent can’t always be next to the child to protect them. It’s important for a parent to be able to reach their kids easily and immediately in case of emergency. Additionally, if a child walks or takes the bus to school, the parent may feel less worried and tranquil if their child can send them a quick text to let the parent know they've safely reached their destination.
Letting your child have a cellphone will enable your child to communicate with their peers easier and build friendships by socializing. Older kids, such as teens, may also use their phones to plan group schoolwork, social gatherings, and more. A cellphone also comes in handy when scheduling an extracurricular activity and hobbies, the child can then be reached out quickly for any changes in sports such as locations, schedules, uniform, and necessities.
As much as a cellphone is useful, it can also be very harmful to a growing child. If your child is excessive in the use of social media, it can have a downfall on their mental-health, such as their self-image and an increase with self-harm or eating disorders. It can also damage their sleep schedule, for using screens right before bed starts to cause sleep deprivation, lower processing speeds, and working memory. Which makes it more difficult for kids to learn and grow in school and out in the world. Although scheduling when a child might be able to use their social media might sound like a good idea, it really isn’t. Because the child can feel as if their parents don’t trust them, and they don’t have free will, which can also negatively impact a child’s mental health.
In conclusion, it IS better for a child under 16 to have a cellphone. However, in order to know when your child is READY for a cellphone you must make sure your child already knows how to reliably keep track of their belongings and takes good care of them. Being responsible enough to have a cellphone also means that the child should know how to use it wisely. If the child can follow rules and respect boundaries and limits, they may be ready for a cellphone. Letting a child have a cellphone can also teach the child more responsibility as they learn to care for their phone, avoid losing it, and stay within their cell phone plan's voice, data, and texting minutes.