Is It Time To Get Your Kid a Phone? - Video

What you need to know before giving your kid a phone, plus the Wirecutter-tested trackers, smartwatches, and phones to consider.


 


Additional Reading:

• The Best First Phones for Kids (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smartphone-for-kids/?utm_source=wirecutter_podcast&utm_medium=episode_number_04)
• The Best Smartwatches for Kids (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-smartwatch-for-kids/?utm_source=wirecutter_podcast&utm_medium=episode_number_04)
• The Best Parental Control Apps to Manage Screen Time (and Keep Your Kid Safer Online) (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-apps-to-manage-your-kids-phone/?utm_source=wirecutter_podcast&utm_medium=episode_number_04)
• Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World  by Dr. Devorah Heitner (https://www.amazon.com/Screenwise-Helping-Thrive-Survive-Digital/dp/1629561452/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5Z2Q2I6W2GAC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ls_1YbnyXtP0m_Y1wWir9VNaX3wDDLL1Acv3SNK0Hjb4i7_AQIsMep63il0yqLnil3AJt80IMA6JnRhGgd-Yg29O2fpDbkiSN-AA2kE5xANYbc7gecSMBL7swJfaujjr2cNfJv51TDOKgfE5z_i0zA.nI4sTXh1ols6tOaD3rCbgg2H-W4mtqqH8qkSuyWXSiE&dib_tag=se&keywords=screenwise&qid=1723749327&s=audible&sprefix=screenwise%2Caudible%2C91&sr=1-1-catcorr)
• Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World by Dr. Devorah Heitner (https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Public-Coming-Digital-ebook/dp/B0BPWPSWCY?ref_=ast_author_mpb)

 


Products we recommend:

• Apple AirTag (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/44691/171915/4/137933?merchant=Amazon)
• Tile Mate (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/deals/112532?merchant=Amazon)
• Bark Phone (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/55787/190499/4/193657/?merchant=Bark)
• Pinwheel (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/47646/201471/4/185031?merchant=Amazon)
• Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation, 128 GB) (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/49829/179261/4/185032?merchant=Apple)
• Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/55831/190561/4/180880?merchant=Verizon)
• Apple Watch SE GPS + Cellular (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/60504/199070/4/180891?merchant=Amazon)

 


Check out more NYT podcast coverage about the recent push to ban phones in schools from The Daily (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/03/podcasts/the-daily/phone-ban-school.html) and Hard Fork (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/podcasts/hardfork-telegram-hochul-reputation.html) .
 


 


 






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Find edited transcripts for each episode at nytimes.com/wirecutter.