this post was submitted on 10 Apr 2024
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[–] steeznson@lemmy.world 10 points 5 months ago (5 children)

I can't believe that parents prefer to wait for legislation to ban smartphones instead of refusing to buy one for their offspring. I get the network effect of having all the other kids with phones but at the same time if that is the only motivation for buying one for your kid then you must not care that much about their dangers.

[–] Jho@feddit.uk 8 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

I get the network effect of having all the other kids with phones.

I don't think the network effect is the only factor to consider here. Kids are at real risk of social ostracization and bullying by their peers if they do not have a smartphone. And that's dangeous in of itself.

I'm not sure if the dangers of being ostricised and bullied are more significant than the dangers presented by owning a smartphone. Either way, I don't think it's a simple decision for a parent to make.

[–] steeznson@lemmy.world 5 points 5 months ago

I think that qualifies as being a severe network effect. Point taken though. In those cases would recommend the parents spend 5 minutes configuring the parental controls before handing the phone over.

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