Kara Alaimo is a professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her book “Over the Influence: Why Social Media Is Toxic for Women and Girls — And How We Can Take It Back” was published in 2024 by Alcove Press.
Most kids are getting smartphones at much younger ages than many experts recommend, according to new research.
A majority of parents of kids ages 11 to 12 said their child has a smartphone, a Pew Research Center survey published October 8 found. However, many experts, myself included, recommend holding off on allowing kids to use social media — which having a smartphone enables — until age 16.
The most-cited reason for letting kids have phones is so parents can get in contact with them, according to the survey conducted in May of over 3,000 parents of children ages 12 and younger.
Smartphones aren’t the only thing kids are using at a young age. Overall screen time also is an issue, with 85% of parents saying their children watch YouTube, including more parents of child
Continue Reading on CNN
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.