Delaying Smartphone Ownership

Delaying Smartphone Ownership: In a recent conversation with the Mirror, the technology magnate revealed that

his children were not permitted to possess their own mobile phones until reaching the age of 14.

“We often establish a cut-off time for screen usage, and in their case, it helps them maintain a

reasonable bedtime,” he explained. Gates further specified that cellphones were not allowed

during meal times but could be utilized for educational purposes like homework or studying.

Although the Gates offspring, aged 20, 17, and 14, now meet the minimum age requirement for owning

a phone, they are still forbidden from having any Apple products in the household, a decision stemming

from Gates’ long-standing rivalry with Apple’s founder, Steve Jobs.

the gates

While the Gates’ parenting approach may appear strict, there could be merit in delaying smartphone

ownership during childhood. According to the 2016 report “Kids & Tech: The Evolution of Today’s Digital Natives,” the average age for a child to receive their first smartphone is currently 10.3 years. “I anticipate this age will decrease as parents become less inclined to hand over their smartphones to their children,” remarked Stacy DeBroff, CEO of Influence Central, to The New York Times.

James P. Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that evaluates content and products for families, shared his own stringent rule regarding cellphones for his children. They are only provided with one when they commence high school and after demonstrating responsible behavior. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach, as every child is unique, and maturity level outweighs age,” Steyer emphasized.