Not that most of us who grew up without a smartphone were surprised, but it’s still refreshing to know that kids do, in fact, thrive when they don’t get a phone until they need one.
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I’m not for banning anything really…except for certain ideologies that is…and a choice few other things. I can see value in a cell phone for a kid…but at what age? But for the most part I think they are just bad news…even for adults. The psychological effects it has on kids can be detrimental. But we often overlook the actual physical effects cell phones have on people in general. Bad posture that can cause spinal pain. Blue light that disrupts circadian rhythm. Phones more often than not activates our fight or flight responses. And a whole mess of other issues. So yeah…if a town wants to ban cell phones for kids…good for them. I for one am delaying getting a phone for my kid as long as I can. Of course she is only three so hopefully I have a bit.
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These seem to be in contradiction.
I am always a bit weary of gun owners (okay…everyone) who support the government banning things from us ''for our own good"
Personally I oppose government bans…
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As an example:
I am not a lawyer, but my understanding of the law in the state of Iowa is that I would be a criminal if I lived in Iowa because I let my child who is under the age of 14 shoot a handgun at the range. Actually, since I’ve done it more than once, I’d be a felon and couldn’t possess a firearm any more
Just say no to government bans. 
Is this good?
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Okay not my best post sorry. In a perfect world the parents should decide what us best for the child. I guess my thinking for the latter part of my statement was that someone was looking out for the kids. But I guess that is just as problematic. There is just such a strong association between children an cell phone use and poor health.
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Yeah…the government looking out for the kids by passing controlling laws that prevent parents from making decisions and prevent parents from preparing their kids to defend themselves is not good.
I even know of justified examples in the US of children (actual children) successfully lawfully defending themselves and siblings from attack with firearms, including handguns, in home invasion scenarios…
…I almost forgot about that law. Iowa disappoints me.
I have kids under 12 and guess what…sometimes they possess one of our phones.
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If you read the article, I believe all the parents voluntarily agreed to not give their kids phones. It was not a town-wide ordinance. For the context, I think “ban” was not the right word to use, but that’s what the author wrote.
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ah, reporting at its best
Gotta get that click bait title to your article…of course the author put it that way
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I did not get one for my daughter until she began driving. At that time, she didn’t even want one. 
That was close to fifteen years ago. I have seen very young children with cell phones now. I am not sure that most have any need for them at that age, but that is not my decision, nor my money.
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That’s a dangerous way to carry that firearm. Not to mention, not having a holster. Diapers have an unusual ability to become full in an instant.
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Definitely not needed.
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15 years ago was a long, long time ago, technology wise.
It’s a totally different world now.
Phones 15 years ago did not do what they do now, not even comparable really
Thank THE GOOD LORD that I grew up in an era where the only person who had a cell phone was Star Trek crew with communicators and Maxwell Smart which was his shoe. I recommend to everyone something that I do every single month. It happened by accident several years ago. I have a Disconnect Day. I have my computer randomly pick a date and the night before when I go to bed, I turn off my cell phone and I don’t touch it all all on that day. I turn it back on the day after. It is very liberating I assure you, I look forward to that day every single month. Hey September 6 is day after tomorrow! 
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Exactly my sentiment, that first shot could really cause a $hit Show…
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So, it can do more things than before, I do not see how that matters. In fact it probably makes it even more reason for them not to have them so young.
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It matters a hell of a lot to the teenagers who do or do not want them.
16 year olds today aren’t going to just not want a phone…phones mean and do entirely different things now than they did 15 years ago.
It’s like…talking about not having a computer or internet access in 1997 and you didn’t want it so you don’t need it now. Kinda sorta.
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15 years ago, cells phones had internet and texting abilities, as well as the original purpose, phone. The discussion, I assumed, was young children, as I referenced in my post, not 16-year-olds, but whatever, I really don’t care. I stated “I have seen very young children with cell phones now. I am not sure that most have any need for them at that age, but that is not my decision, nor my money.”
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My granddaughter is 12 and getting more independent. I’m glad that my daughter got her a cell phone. She has rules for its use ,but she has it for emergencies. The world is different today than it was when I was young, or even when my kids were young. At least she can call for help if she needs to.
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Absolutely! Something else you may want to get her are tracking tags. You can get them on amazon and they’re really inexpensive. You can buy them to work with Android phones, apple phones, and various operating systems like Linux, and Safari. They are small tags that can be sewn into her belts or into her book bags, purses, or even attached to the underside of her watch, or implanted into her phone case. These tags will let you use apps to see her current and traveled locations and help to locate her, if God forbid, she goes missing. Some people use them in their cars in the event their cars are stolen so they can track the vehicle and help police apprehend the thief. My youngest boys are 13 & 12 and just got their first phones about a month ago. I make sure to stay on them about keeping their phones charged and on their person whenever they leave the house.
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