Dear Dr, Laura
I think it's a big mistake to give your kid a cell phone before the age of 18. However, (A Big however here), in this day and age our kids are targets for predators. Going anywhere without some sort of way to call for help from their parents or other authorities is not wise.
I say just give them a very basic, simple phone without the bells and whistles and distractions on it. Let them keep it only for the purpose of making or receiving calls from the appropriate people. If they want all the other stuff, they have to work for those privileges and wait until they are mature enough to handle the responsibility of owning a smartphone. Privileges are not rights. They have to be earned.
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