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I am in the process of adopting an eleven year old girl from Northern California.  My husband and I have decided that at age 13 we will provide her with a limited use phone for her safety and as a privalage she can earn, or have taken when appropriate.  Over the Thanksgiving holiday I brought the young lady to meet my family for the first time.  My adult sister and brother have no children, my father is a huge football fan, and my mother was engrossed in the kitchen.  I tried to keep her entertained by coloring, helping in the kitchen, and chatting, but after a few hours I began to feel bad for her.  There were no kids around and little to do so I let her play with my iPhone.  She was delighted, and actually showed me things about my phone I didn't even know! 

In some ways I think it's a shame that kids are so engrossed in their phones, but on the other hand it's just technology moving ahead.  (I wonder what my parents thought about me listening to my walkman all the time?)

With technology you have to get on board or get out of the way.  I think advances in technology create a new level of responsibility for parents and children.  As a parent I will have to keep up with the latest trends- just so I know the dangers that may be threatening my child, and how to talk about them and encourage her to make the right decisions.  What's scary is when technology, like a smart phone with full internet, is givin to a child by an adult who doesn't understand what it's capable of.

posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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