No parent can have failed to notice that mobile phones have become indispensable items for teenagers. An important symbol for our children as they seek independence, mobile phones are becoming part of their lives at an increasingly early age. How can we navigate this transition safely?A quest for independence
According to Médiamétrie, the average age for getting a first mobile phone in France is 11. This coincides with children starting secondary school. It is at this stage that children feel they are growing up and want to become independent. «A rite of passage,» according to BFM TV which ran a report on the subject in early October – which encourages children to ask for a smartphone to fit in. On the other hand, parents see mobile phones as a communication tool that reassures them. Adolescence is also a time when relationships with friends are important. They need to stay connected to their world and show that they exist within their community. In the United States, the average age for getting a first mobile phone is 7.
Should parents give in to pressure?
Faced with their peers, most of whom have smartphones, children try to convince their parents of their usefulness; it is difficult to refuse them, especially if their siblings have one. Adults also take advantage of this tool to monitor their teenagers and find out what they are doing. According to Justine Atlan, director of e-Enfance, parents are under pressure to buy their children mobile phones at an increasingly early age.
Smartphones: a risk for our children
The age at which children should be given their first mobile phone is a subject of debate, as new-generation mobile phones pose a risk to our children. A study by the Morphée Network reveals that using a mobile phone after dinner, as is often the case among young people, has a negative impact on the quality of sleep in adolescents. According to the Network, 33.51% of young people spend more than an hour on their phones after dinner, and 14.71% of them spend more than two hours staring at their screens. smartphone. However, the study highlights another practice: nearly 15% of the study subjects use their phones at night to send text messages or connect to social media. This is a worrying practice, given that adolescents need sleep to nourish their growing bodies. Parents must therefore set limits on their children's mobile phone use. Otherwise, they risk seeing their children become less focused and active, and find it harder to communicate with them. “It's becoming the number one leisure activity,” says Justine Atlan on BFM TV. Indeed, while mobile phones provide a sense of security, they smartphone For him, it is a very time-consuming hobby.
But the biggest risk is that the smartphone, now an indispensable tool for both teenagers and adults, provides access to the Internet. “There are also risks associated with social media, sexual predators, cyberbullying,” warns Justine Atlan. But what can you do? Be aware that there are fixed-rate packages available that limit Internet usage. If your teenager wants to be independent, give them the opportunity to learn how to control their Internet and communication usage. You can also control their Internet access by asking your service provider to filter content on your child's line. Another solution is to agree with them on times when they are allowed to use their phone and that they must hand it over before going to bed.
