Hello Reader,

Many parents are wrestling with the same questions: Should I give in to the pressure to give my child a smartphone, or is waiting the better choice? Will they be left out by not having one?

Our latest article, Top 4 Myths about Giving Kids Smartphones: How to Navigate Parent Peer Pressure, helps you cut through the pressure and make a decision based on your family's needs and values.​

​If it feels like everyone else's child already has a smartphone, you're not alone. It’s common for parents to feel pressured by friends, coaches, schools, and even other parents to hand one over sooner than they'd like.

But here's a truth that should help:

Parents are far more likely to regret giving a smartphone too early than waiting too long.

A smartphone isn't just a way to call home—it also provides portable access to predators, pornography, sextortion traps, and other online risks that children aren't developmentally ready to navigate.

Waiting gives your child more time to build judgment, self-control, and healthy habits before carrying the darkest corners of the internet in their pocket.

Two of the four myths found in our article include:

• “Delaying a smartphone puts my child at a technological disadvantage”
• “My child will be socially isolated without a smartphone”

Think you've heard it all? Wait until you see myths #3 and #4 🤯

Remember: Pressure is not readiness. Every family is different, and it's okay to wait until your child is truly prepared.

Warmly,

Kristen

P.S. I need your input! Kids also get in trouble with parents' phones—we just heard of a 7-year-old who accessed pornography while they were supposed to be doing a Duolingo lesson on mom's phone. Do you let your kids use your phone? How do you keep it safe for them when it's in their hands? Hit Reply and share your thoughts with us!

The Good Pictures Bad Pictures books are excellent resources for helping parents start age-appropriate conversations with their children about pornography. Having these important discussions early can help protect children from confusion, shame, and future trauma while building trust and open communication.