Current Events > A modest proposal: No smartphones for kids

(+) Yeah! (+)

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lmao
fucking lol
rofl even

Seriously, where did you get this idea from?

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For saying 3am challenge youtube channels aimed at 4th graders are stupid?

masticatingman posted...

I think if the parents have enough money to have a legit tv setup with a YouTube / streaming accounts (which should be easier to police anyway), that should basically be the done deal with it: as in, no smartphones.

It is kinda funny in a sad way now that for poorer income families it's frankly simpler to just dole out some smartphones/pads for entertainment. But yeah, I don't think anything good comes out of it.

And this conversation does actually ramp up to another level when talking about computers. I'm guessing most users on this site take having a computer at home as being a default living scenario but I can assure you plenty of folks don't have or know anything about personal computers, whether laptop or pc.

Kids don't need smartphones. Anything "good" that comes out of them can just be had via other means. They should really just be seen as a point of convenience for adults. Of course, the other side of the convo is how basic flip phones are almost extinct these days, and they're mostly just out there for senior citizens. I think society's just behind on this one, since smartphones are just hyper prevalent.

Smart TVs are cheap. Last month I got a 55 4kUHD Samsung for $370.

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Except that this just limits access for young children in the same way we have parental block, content ratings, age of consent laws and age restrictions on owning certain products like cigarettes, alcohol, and firearms. Honestly, it's not even parents fault. If ppl were decent and respectful human beings on social media, nearly all the problems disappear. Of course good luck with getting ppl and the whole internet to change or realize they might be a problem. We can blame and point fingers all we want, but there is a problem that does need to be addressed.

Again the problem is not kids playing on devices or not playing outside. It is the emotionally, societal, and cultural effect one aspect of said tech is having.

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tik tok has been on the ban list because its been proven for years that it siphons personal data back to china.

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Yeah, except I know the difference between then and the generation raised on Spiderman and Elsa videos.

Didn't read the article, but I actually think kids should have smart phones for safety reasons. But they should be locked down.

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I mean an actual, logical explanation. What you've given me is the kind of thing you'd find people raging about on bitchute because they were banned from youtube.

I can't help but wonder what sorta stuff the people on this board watched on their computers when they were kids and young teens.

Like as an adult now I know that I was given way too much free reign on the internet. But overall I turned out fine. I think?

Punished_Blinx posted...

I can't help but wonder what sorta stuff the people on this board watched on their computers when they were kids and young teens.

Like as an adult now I know that I was given way too much free reign on the internet. But overall I turned out fine. I think?

I obsessively looked for the most degenerate, depraved, soul-crushing stuff I could find. I felt it was important for me to know the things that were otherwise constantly hidden, to keep myself honest about how the world works.

Now, every day before a meal, I just automatically consider how like hundreds of thousands of people are being trafficked and raped and I can do jack shit about it. It probably isn't healthy, but I am very honest with myself.

No thanks; smartphones are a god-send for diabetic children like my younger sister.

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I think you're trying to compare disparate things because you think it makes you look smart.

My 9 year old has a smartphone that's only used on road trips over 3hrs. When home its just TV. We originally got it so he could play PokemonGo with me

Social media is really harmful for young kids, and even some adults. I feel like something should be done to keep kids away from it, but at the same time, i feel any government doing it would just be trying to keep kids from teaching other kids about the bad things adults do.

ablegator posted...

And then we eat the children?

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/d/d8f5676e.jpg

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I don't really see an issue with either or how they are out of touch. What use is a smartphone to a child below 13? Parents keeping track of them? Watching media? Socializing with friends? None of these sprang into existence with the arrival of smartphones and all could still be accomplished via "dumb" phones.
As for the 16y age restriction, again, we have restriction for websites already. 13 is often already the age limit for much of the internet and digital content. We also have age restrictions for sports and many school activities. It may be harsh, but why is social media some sort of required right for 16yo?

PiOverlord posted...

No thanks; smartphones are a god-send for diabetic children like my younger sister.

You've got me curious. I'm going to assume some sort blood sugar monitor app? If that's the case then of course exceptions, but the issue here is less to do with smartphones themselves and more to do with their access to social media.

Link_of_time posted...

As for the 16y age restriction, again, we have restriction for websites already. 13 is often already the age limit for much of the internet and digital content. We also have age restrictions for sports and many school activities. It may be harsh, but why is social media some sort of required right for 16yo?

Yes we certainly know that kids follow the rules on the internet. I'm sure everyone here didn't go on GameFAQs until they were 13. We all definitely waited until we were 18 to watch porn.

I didn't have my first phone until HS tbh. I don't think the wait helped with whatever it was supposed to help with.

Punished_Blinx posted...

Yes we certainly know that kids follow the rules on the internet. I'm sure everyone here didn't go on GameFAQs until they were 13. We all definitely waited until we were 18 to watch porn.

Tbh I looked at GameFAQs AND porn in school, no one's gonna stop me from being degenerate and horny. Except the teachers but that's only if they catch me!

Punished_Blinx posted...

I can't help but wonder what sorta stuff the people on this board watched on their computers when they were kids and young teens.

Like as an adult now I know that I was given way too much free reign on the internet. But overall I turned out fine. I think?

If you asked Boomers if they turned out fine, they'd probably think they did as well. The hope is to prevent the kind harm we only now acknowledge in hindsight.

I definitely watch messed up things during my time and look at me now, I'm a CEman. is that what you want? more CEmen.

Link_of_time posted...

If you asked Boomers if they turned out fine, they'd probably think they did as well. The hope is to prevent the kind harm we only now acknowledge in hindsight.

I definitely watch messed up things during my time and look at me now, I'm a CEman. is that what you want? more CEmen.

Could be worse. Could be a Redditor

Link_of_time posted...

If you asked Boomers if they turned out fine, they'd probably think they did as well. The hope is to prevent the kind harm we only now acknowledge in hindsight.

I definitely watch messed up things during my time and look at me now, I'm a CEman. is that what you want? more CEmen.

It's more that just because there are rules it doesn't mean that they really mean anything.

Pretty much all social media sites say that you need to be 13 years old and older to watch and use them. YouTube has parental locks for parents to use for their kids.

But kids are kids. Kids won't follow established rules if they're stopping them from doing something they enjoy. It's easier said than done.

As for CEman there are probably lots of people who'd benefit from an internet ban but I ain't gonna fight for that.

Punished_Blinx posted... Yes we certainly know that kids follow the rules on the internet. I'm sure everyone here didn't go on GameFAQs until they were 13. We all definitely waited until we were 18 to watch porn.

You're right. I say we ban smartphones, but give children back their guns and tobacco.

For those of you who are against this idea i ask the question: What do you think would the be negatives were this to be implemented?

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is it infantilizing to restrict drivers licenses to +16? why do we do that? A car has hundreds of uses and plays a pivotal role adult life. Shouldn't even younger kids be allowed? Why do we have child labor laws? Can't this just be up to the parents and not left to lazy blanket bans.

Your logic here is very childish. You really had to stretch for those phone uses, like you were writing for word count in a English essay. You wanna throw banking and nightlight in there. As for sports, they all have their own age restrictions. Pee Wee football restricts to age 7~9. This can vary for different schools and leagues.

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the fact that you don't realize there are already age restrictions on those things, shows how little you've thought about this. The conservative boomer tantrum is the cherry on top. You're really exemplifying what social media can do to a person without them even realizing it.

this is great

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Thank you for lacking so much self awareness that you've actually agreed with my entire point and don't realize it. You are a prime example of how social media can twist your self image so much that you become everything you rally against.

it's clear this conversation isn't gonna go any further, so I'm gonna go practice my cursive and watch the news.

Link_of_time posted...

is it infantilizing to restrict drivers licenses to +16? why do we do that? A car has hundreds of uses and plays a pivotal role adult life. Shouldn't even younger kids be allowed? Why do we have child labor laws? Can't this just be up to the parents and not left to lazy blanket bans.

lmao did you seriously just compare owning a phone to things like driving a vehicle and child labor

And then have the balls to follow it up with

Link_of_time posted...

Your logic here is very childish. You really had to stretch

and then have the balls to follow it up with

Link_of_time posted...

Thank you for lacking so much self awareness