The use of digital technology has become an integral part of our lives, and while we often think of its benefits, we rarely consider the potential implications of this technology when it comes to our children. From the daily distraction of social media, to the erosion of privacy, to the enticement of an always-on culture; these risks demand thoughtful consideration—especially when it comes to the decision to give a child a smartphone.

So why did we give an eight year-old daughter a phone? Today on Digital Pragmatism, we will be discussing this topic, and more, as we explore how and why providing a phone to young children can support their development without introducing the risks associated with modern technology.

We also discussed Chat GPT, a machine learning model that has already made significant impacts on the way we create content. It is faster and more accurate than human workers, and is moving us away from our ability to practice important skills such as summarizing an idea or finding questions within text. We can practice by generating work using Chat GPT and comparing it to our own work, but the danger is that its speed and precision may lead to people not practicing these skills at all.

We also discussed why we gave our daughter a phone, and the difference between a phone and a smartphone. We wanted to give her the ability to call us, without having to track her with a GPS device. We also wanted to introduce her to the idea of independence, and for her to develop her skills in problem-solving and self-reliance. We opted for a minimalistic phone, as we wanted to protect her from the influence of apps, online content, and the peer pressure that often comes with having a device with the capability of a smartphone.

Finally, we discussed the necessity of parents communicating to ensure that their children are not exposed to dangerous technology. We discussed how author Jonathan Haidt is writing books about the impact of social media and smartphones on teenage mental health and the polarization and destruction of democracy in the United States. We hope that in four years this knowledge has become more widespread, and that the associated risks of using smartphones are managed more responsibly.