You let your kids have a phone, and then every single one of these things happened
Finally let your child loose with their very own phone? Here's what to expect...
They've been begging you for months. There's been screaming and crying - 'all of my friends have got one!' they roar. They want a mobile phone, and they're not giving up until they've got their grubby little mitts on one.Eventually, something's gotta give - and usually, it'll be you. So you equip them with a smartphone, under the premise of education and personal safety. Here's what actually happens...
They have endless conversations with their friends...
http://giphy.com/gifs/Ep21qp1qzg5bi
...but will never talk to you again
http://giphy.com/gifs/aw3X5jVznA9So
They take thousands of pictures of each other…
http://giphy.com/gifs/HPfnuEmhDT23C
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
...and themselves
http://giphy.com/gifs/WulvoU5sY0Dss
They play games for HOURS...
http://giphy.com/gifs/MCLIT0B7NEU80
...master social media surprisingly quickly...
http://giphy.com/gifs/TyDAime6aCTJe
...and start to communicate solely using smiley faces
http://giphy.com/gifs/pRymn62KKMRxe
They develop selective hearing...
http://giphy.com/gifs/13NIwJUOLhGfmg
...and no longer have any interest in anything that isn’t digital...
http://giphy.com/gifs/4hZWC6ECxYhyg
...even when there’s food involved
http://giphy.com/gifs/DGVSi9TQ36yYM
However, regardless of how much they love it, that phone is not in a safe pair of hands
http://giphy.com/gifs/oTW7rJC0AA0bS
They carry it as through it didn't cost 1,000 weeks worth of pocket money
http://giphy.com/gifs/eaGTwBUVYLug0
It’ll never have any battery left
http://giphy.com/gifs/AS2baV0NPdWF2
Somehow, it’ll end up waterdamaged...
http://giphy.com/gifs/LiyPaa4V92Z2M
...or 'creatively improved' by a younger sibling
http://giphy.com/gifs/Jfx6kA6IpbCBW
Which will of course lead to this reaction:
http://giphy.com/gifs/JuhzFd9o7t8U8
But for all of the trouble phones cause, you're glad your kids can call you in an emergency...
http://giphy.com/gifs/pS1yOUIwc0CvC
...and get in touch if they really need help
http://giphy.com/gifs/dYnrJGuSpLEv6
So don't worry if you feel like you've lost your kids to their phones...
http://giphy.com/gifs/11HxElzKUMmBxu
...they'll come crawling back as soon as they've managed to smash the screen.
http://giphy.com/gifs/EviEccBDTeNR6
Where to next?
Trusted, informative, and empathetic – GoodToKnow is the ultimate online destination for mums. Established in 2007, our 15-year-strong archive of content includes more than 18,000 articles, 1,500 how-to videos, and 7,000 recipes.
-
15 baby names parents love but 'don't feel cool enough' to use - would you choose one?
These baby names are a 'guilty pleasure' for parents
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
Half of Gen Z say their parents 'don't take my mental health concerns seriously', research shows - here are 3 ways to help support older children
With research showing that half of teens and young adults feel their parents don't take their mental health concerns seriously, we share how you can show your support.
By Ellie Hutchings Published