[3-29] Dear Savvy: My child feels excluded without a smartphone

By Media Savvy Moms PodcastOn September 9, 2021September 9, 2021

[3-29] Dear Savvy: My child feels excluded without a smartphone

There’s a lot of pressure on parents to get their kids a smartphone and the latest social apps. What if you’re not ready to give in but your child’s insisting they need a phone to feel included. Is this a valid reason? If not, how do you say no?

This episode is part of our #DearSavvy series. Sometimes you just want a quick answer to a burning question. These shorter episodes are designed to give you just that. Tune in to the podcast to hear the whole scoop, and check out the show notes for helpful tools and information. If you’d like to submit a question, click here to Contact Us.

[Cover Art]

Dear Savvy: My child feels excluded without a smartphone. I think she’s too young but she says she gets teased and ridiculed for being different. I feel like we are in a no-win situation. What should I do?

Dear Listener,

You’re right to be concerned. First, find out what makes your daughter feel excluded. Are these normal growing pains? Or could bullying be a concern? It’s important for your daughter to have at least one or two close friends. Help her understand that real friendship and connection are best made and nurtured offline. In fact, technology can make kids feel more isolated. Talk openly, share feelings, and build a plan together.

Here’s what we discussed today:

Face-to-face communication. Smartphones can distract from developing essential conversation skills typically honed in adolescence.
Wants vs needs. Kids thrive when they feel a sense of belonging among friends. Smartphones often increase feelings of isolation rather than connection.
Vulnerability amplified. Kids who get teased, ridiculed, and bullied off-line are usually more vulnerable to cyberbullying and ridicule through social media apps.

“When we hand our kids smartphones and social media, it is literally stealing their joy. It’s robbing them of the ability to create and feel real connection.” —Collin Kartchner

Episode challenge

Deciding when to hand your child their first smartphone is a big deal. Be sure to discuss this carefully using our Quick Guide to Safer Screen Habits. Review the PRIORITIES section together. Download your FREE pdf here. https://bit.ly/Quick-Guide-to-Safer-Screen-Habits

Do you have a question? Click here to Contact Us, email us at admin@parentsaware.info, or submit your question through any of our social media platforms. We’d love to hear from you!

Links/Resources

FORTIFY – Is your teen struggling with pornography? Click here to check out Fortify – FREE for youth!

BARK – Want help monitoring your kids’ apps and social media? Click here for a FREE 30-day trial of the Bark App or download it at the app store and use our promo code: MEDIASAVVY

COVENANT EYES – Need great filtering software for your internet and devices? Click here to check out Covenant Eyes.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means, at no additional cost to you, Parents Aware/Media Savvy Moms receives a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thanks for helping to support us in our mission to protect families from the harms of pornography.

About
Latest Posts

Media Savvy Moms Podcast

Who knew honest conversations about parenting and pornography could be so approachable? Join Marilyn for a series of contemplations, chats, and interviews as she helps fellow parents tackle this challenging topic with their kids.

Latest posts by Media Savvy Moms Podcast (see all)