Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families When Do You Give The Kids a Smart Phone?
8 snips
Jan 20, 2026 Smartphones may seem essential, but research shows early access negatively impacts kids' mental health and sleep. Parents often grapple with cultural pressures for phone ownership, thinking of safety and connection. Instead, alternatives like dumb phones and watches are suggested. It's vital to establish a family standard, such as letting kids earn their phones. Even if a child already has a smartphone, setting boundaries like no phones in bedrooms can help mitigate risks. Ultimately, prioritizing well-being over immediate approval is key.
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Early Phones Raise Health Risks
- Earlier smartphone access links to worse mental health, sleep, and obesity outcomes in kids.
- The Pediatrics study found smartphones at age 12 increased clinical mental-health risks by 57% by age 13.
Clarify The Real Problem First
- Define the exact problem you want the phone to solve before buying one for your child.
- Use alternatives (dumb phone, watch, landline) when the goal is safety or logistics, not full internet access.
Left At The Doctor As A Kid
- Justin shared being left at the doctor's as a child and walking several kilometres home, then being found by his mum.
- He used this to show kids can manage minor logistical hiccups without a smartphone.
