As the age of smartphones has taken its toll on society, we have all experienced their effects. From cute baby videos to making important calls, the upside of smartphones are obvious. However, what is not so obvious is the negative impact that they have on a developing child’s brain. Thus, parents should take heed before buying their elementary age children a smartphone.

Many studies have shown that children under the age of 3 shouldn’t be exposed to screens at all. The use of smartphones and other electronic devices speeds up the brain’s development, especially between the ages of 0 and 2. This speedy development can cause learning disorders and other problems, such as ADD, ADHD, and dyslexia. Also, the infant and toddler years are very important for development of a bond between a baby and its parents. Those are the years when children learn to take comfort in and trust their parents. When exposed to smartphones, they have the chance to bond with the phone instead of their parents which can lead to an unhealthy addiction.

Cell phones can also negatively affect social skills. Studies have shown that kids, especially elementary aged, who are exposed to technology have a harder time interacting in person.  For example, due to communicating through texting, young kids may not understand why certain behaviors are considered annoying. Sometimes this even leads to children not socializing or talking to others at all except through their phone or social media. These behaviors can also lead to children relying on the phone instead of people for comfort. 

Another drawback is that many kids, after getting their smartphone, will sign up for social media. This can make kids, especially young and naive kids, vulnerable to child predators and inappropriate content. Along with inappropriate posts, they can also run into aggressive content, which can lead to changes in mood or behavior. Experts have also found that excessive use of smartphones can lead to depression, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. Studies have also shown that third through fifth graders with phones were more likely to become cyberbullies. They also are slower to mature than their peers without smartphones.

This brings up another problem: if most many young kids lose their homework, are they really mature enough to have a cell phone? One thing that even teenagers struggle with is realizing that everything on the internet is immortal. Therefore, immature usernames or pictures will be there forever. As children don’t have the experience needed to judge what would be considered rude or unnecessary, they may end up regretting what was posted or commented.

So, what is the answer? Unfortunately, that question does not have an absolute answer. With the era of technology upon us, smartphones and screens are inevitable. For the parents of the current generation and the generations yet to come, technology is and will be a part of life. Thus, it is going to become increasingly important to be wary when giving children smartphones, whether it be for them or for their entertainment. Before handing a child a screen, be cautious and try to remember the effects it can have.