Survey reveals why most Aussie kids aren’t ready for smartphones
When it comes to digital readiness, age isn’t the only thing that matters. Most Aussie tweens lack some important skills needed for safely using a smartphone – here’s why you may not be ready yet
READING LEVEL: ORANGE
Having a smartphone is a big responsibility and using one requires a set of important skills. If your parents won’t give you a smartphone even though you think you’re old enough, it may be because they feel you aren’t ready until you learn some of these skills.
A smartphone requires things like critical judgment* for interacting with online information, knowing when to stop and knowing when you need to ask parents or a trusted adult for help. These are just some of the key skills that help you stay safe online and make the best possible use of increasingly powerful technology.
Tweens* are tireless experts when it comes to pressuring mums and dads, especially when it comes to nagging them for a phone. But new research shows that parents are concerned children simply aren’t ready – and that’s because parents care more than anyone else.
Because they know most children lack these key digital skills, most parents struggle when their kids’ peers get smartphones from an early age.
South Australian mum Bridget Johns always wanted to give her children phones when they turned 14 – or later if she felt they needed to wait a little longer.
But when some of her children’s friends got smartphones as early as age 10, Ms Johns said the pressure to give in from her son and daughter intensified.
She ended up compromising: turning on the messaging function on her tweens’ iPads, so they could communicate with friends and be part of organising group activities.
Ms Johns is not the only parent who felt they had to give in. More than 40 per cent of Australian parents say their children ask for smartphones because of their friends, according to a new survey measuring children’s digital readiness.
The Digital Readiness Lab asked 1029 parents of nine to 14-year-olds whether their children were able to self-regulate, use critical judgment and seek help when using a device.
The report found almost half of Australian children (43.5 per cent) were unable to consistently demonstrate skills in all three areas.
This skills gap means children are not always able to get off a phone when asked; get started on a task when a device is in reach; work out if something online is true or false, or tell a parent if they are upset after being online.
The report found there is no set age when children will be ready to have phones – readiness also depends on their maturity levels and family support.
However, most children do not have these skills before the age of 14. Despite this lack, three in four parents surveyed said their children had smartphones anyway.
TECH IN THE JOHNS HOUSE
The children in the Johns family were given access to different devices based on their age. Each stage came with rules and safety considerations, Ms Johns said.
The plan started with the family TV when they were younger and has expanded into iPads, smartwatches and finally the iPhone stage once they turned 14.
When the children had iPads, they could only speak with people they knew. As tweens, they got smartwatches so they could call or text when needed and had GPS tracking in emergencies.
Now in high school, the two teenagers have laptops that are stored in a charging box overnight to avoid the late night temptation to stay up.
The charging box also comes on summer holidays in the caravan, according to Ms Johns.
The family tries to avoid walking around the house with their phones and instead each person has a phone parking spot.
Technology house rules usually start with a family discussion and everyone agreeing they are ready to try it out. Ms Johns said the rules apply to everyone, even the parents.
TEST YOUR READINESS
We know that when it comes to digital readiness, age is not the only factor. Having a sense of responsibility also matters and that often develops as we get older.
According to the eSafety Commissioner – the office responsible for regulating online safety in Australia – children should have a sense of responsibility before they are given a smartphone.
Having a sense of responsibility means being aware of what you do with the device, understanding what risks are involved, and showing accountability* for your actions when using digital technologies.
Being able to stick to the rules and manage screen-time is another important step.
Are you able to put your phone away hours before bedtime? Are you able to turn it off when your screen time is over without bargaining or arguing?
Another important digital skill is being able to put the device away when you need to do other important things like studying, reading, having dinner, spending time with family and playing outside.
According to the eSafety Commissioner, children should also have a good understanding of actions and consequences, which are important social and personal skills children develop over time.
Do you understand what happens when you share personal details online, send photos or messages to people you do not know? All these actions have real world consequences.
Last but not the least is knowing when to shout out for help when you see or experience unpleasant or concerning things online.
Children should be old enough to recognise when they need to speak to a parent or trusted adult before they are given a smartphone, in the event that they have any trouble online or when see something they don’t like or that they know is wrong.
‘YOU DON’T REALLY NEED THEM’
Melbourne mum Rachel Do’s oldest teenager Eliza uses a smartphone to connect with friends.
But when her younger sister Emerald, aged 11, was left without a device when the family were out taking photos, Ms Do repurposed an old phone so that Emerald could take pictures too.
Emerald’s phone doesn’t have a SIM, so it can only be used for photography unless it’s connected to the Wi-Fi, Ms Do said.
But some of Emerald’s school friends had smartphones much younger, which surprised Ms Do, who said kids that age do not really need them if they get picked up and dropped off from school.
But travel to and from school is a common reason for kids getting their first phone.
While many parents remain reluctant about giving their child a smartphone, travelling on public transport and across large distances means many parents give in because they also feel the need for the additional connection point, Ms Do said.
ANNUAL READINESS TESTING
Digital Readiness Lab founder Rinat Strahlhofer said their research shows what happens at home “matters enormously*” to children’s abilities in online spaces.
“We led the world on protection (with the social media ban),” Ms Strahlhofer said. “Now we have to lead on preparation. (This research) gives us the starting line.”
This report is expected to be replicated* each year in order to track how children’s abilities change.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- critical judgement: the ability to carefully analyse and question things, in order to make a good a good decision.
- tween: a young person aged between eight to 12, preteens
- accountability: taking responsibility, willing to accept the responsibility of one’s actions and decisions and being able to give an explanation
- enormously: extremely, very much, a high degree, or extent of something
- replicated: to make or repeat something in the same exact way
EXTRA READING
Five simple ways kids can connect
What kids are saying about school phone ban
Could my fridge really get hacked?
QUICK QUIZ
- What skills do children need before they get a smartphone?
- Why did Emerald get a phone?
- What are the rules in Johns family?
- What did the Digital Readiness Lab survey find out?
- How often will they run this survey?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
Teach the Skills!
How do you think kids could develop the skills that they need to use smartphones safely?
Identify two skills from the story. Write down at least two activities or ideas for lessons that could help kids your age learn about and practice the skills that you have identified.
Time: spend at least 25 minutes on this activity.
Curriculum links: English, Digital Technologies, Personal and Social Capability.
Extension
Design a poster. The purpose of your poster is to help parents and carers understand the most important skills that kids need to develop before they let them have a smartphone.
Time: spend at least 30 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Digital Technologies, Personal and Social Capability.
VCOP ACTIVITY
Summarise the article
A summary can be a really good way to grab the main idea plus some key points in the article as a highlight. Think of the summary like a little advertisement or extract you could use to encourage people to read the article in detail. You want to give them an overview of the article that includes the main idea (being able to tell the audience what the article is about in one sentence), plus a few of the key points of the information.
Remember to re-read your summary to check that it is clear, concise and makes sense to the audience who haven’t read the article yet. You need to make language choices that allow you to explain the information in only a few sentences.