Your Answer ▼ It is a common belief that it is beneficial for children to use smartphones. However, there is a more persuasive argument that children can be addicted to mobile phones because they lack the capability in controlling their phone use.
On the one hand, children need to use phones because they can protect their safety. By giving a call or sending a message, their parents are able to know where they are at any time. For example, many GPS applications can be downloaded on children's smartphones. These applications help parents track and monitor wherever their children go. Thanks to this GPS system, parents are relieved because they are aware of their children's location. Moreover, having children carry their smartphones with GPS reduced the rate of kidnapping a child. Therefore, children have to own their personal mobile phones to ensure they are growing up in a much safer environment.
Nevertheless, mobile phones contain a variety of applications that entertain children. These programs will lead them to smartphone addiction because children are not mature enough to restrict their phone use. Children are likely to gradually get addicted to their cell phones by continuously texting their friends and watching videos. According to a study from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in South Korea, the rising incidence of phone addiction among students is becoming a major problem in the part of their education. Their phone addiction is disturbing their study and children are getting the low mark in their exams. This shows that smartphones are having a negative impact on the performance of children.
To sum up, while there are advantages to letting children use their cell phones for their safety, it is evident that the disadvantages of making children get addicted to mobile phones far outweigh the benefits. |