« Controversial Topics in Middle Childhood

Lillian Brooks

Should children have cell phones?

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KW Lacey Warren
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Children shouldn't have cell phones because they are freshly learning about what is right and wrong and they are easily influenced. When a child has a cell phone they are given access to every part of the internet. Cyber bullying can be seen where ever you go while browsing. When a kid sees all the hate, they don’t understand the harm of it. They could not only fall victim to cyber bullying but they could cyberbully someone else. When a child is being bullied online they tend to also be bullied in-person, be unwilling to go to school, have lower self-esteem and fall into bad habits (Stopbullying.gov,2016). So when a child is given a phone they could be at risk of experiencing this or causing it.

2 replies
  1. Post by Lacey Warren
    Should children be using the Internet?

    Children should only have limited internet access because if they have full freedom to the internet they can get on some inappropriate websites. When a child goes on an inappropriate website, such as a game that may allow them to talk to older children or adults, it is very likely that they could encounter cyberbullying. Children who are cyberbullied are often also bullied in person, which may lead to them not wanting to go to school or falling into bad habits (Stopbullying.gov, 2016). From this, the child would recieve poor grades or could end up getting into trouble from misbehaving or the use of drugs. If you give children limited internet access it is easier to watch which websites they get on and if they are being cyber bullied or are being the bullies.

  2. Post by Kynleigh Walker
    Re: Should children have cell phones?
    Young children should not have cell phones because it can cause an unhealthy addiction. Many children watch television on their phones during meals, play games throughout the day, and scroll on apps for hours before bed. Phones and the internet can disrupt the brain and cause rewiring. Children can be influenced on social media to do bad things, talk to strangers that they have never met, and even become a target of cyber bullying. Cell phones make it hard for kids to focus in school because it is a constant distraction with all of the notifications.
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