[21]

There's quite a difference between 6 and 14.

I'm not sure you understand the amount of hatred a 14 year old might have against you if you forbid him to have a smartphone.

A case could be made in court that such a restriction is illegal and a form of bad parenting.

[craigds]

Ha. My 14 year old can have a smart phone when she gets a job, saves up for it and pays for it herself.

That'll teach her to value it (and not lose/smash it like my 15yo mentee keeps doing.) It also means she probably won't have one till she's 16 or so.

Disclaimer: I actually only have a two year old. Maybe I'll change my mind in the next twelve years, who knows.

[dleslie]

When I was 14 all the cool kids had pagers and gameboys. I survived without the former.

Besides, being hated by your kids from time to time is part of being a good parent.