My name is Katelyn Moore and I am 16. When I was in 4th grade, all of my classmates began acquiring smartphones. When I asked my parents for one, their response was “What is your why behind wanting one?”
This question surprised me and I answered with “All my friends have one, I feel left out when they are on theirs, etc.” And while they understood where I was coming from they clarified that they didn’t see the need for one at that point in my life.
While at that moment I was disappointed, looking back I see that they were doing their jobs as my parents to protect me and keep things “age-appropriate”. They were defending me from the threats I didn’t know existed .
I was not given a phone until my freshman year, and I would not have asked for it a moment sooner. Growing up outside of a screen made me who I am today. I have a confidence you can only discover in the real world, not the virtual one and I also have the ability to carry on a conversation while making eye contact. I have many hobbies such as baking, painting, and guitar.
Another thing my parents didn’t allow is social media until I was 16. I am so thankful that they postponed it until I was mature enough to regulate everything that comes with not only such an influential device but social media in itself.
I see my teenage peers struggling with anxiety, loneliness and depression which is yet another reason why I am grateful that my parents waited for me to learn who I am without the world's opinions pushed onto me (beauty standards, life, relationships, perfection, etc).
I realize now I have had a real childhood, one filled with playing outside, imagination, and memories. I also don’t see my parents as strict parents, but as parents who have reasonable restrictions to protect me, and for that I thank them. I was young, naive, and not ready for the world it opens up. This is why I believe we need to let kids be kids a little longer and delay the smartphone!
Special thanks to Katelyn for sharing her story with us!
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Please consider delaying the smartphone for your child with the Wait Until 8th pledge and delaying social media until 16+. There are so many reasons to wait. Currently the average age a child receives a smartphone is around 4th grade despite the many distractions and dangers that comes with this technology. Join more than 60,000 parents by signing the pledge today.
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