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Poll: At what age should children be allowed to have smartphones?

The digital age of consent in Ireland in 13.

TWO-THIRDS OF parents don’t want children under the age of 14 to have smartphones, according to a new poll carried out by Amárach Research for RTÉ’s Claire Byrne Live.

The digital age of consent, which was agreed by the Cabinet last summer, is 13.

It refers to the age from which it is legal for data controllers to hold data gathered on children and teenagers. For children under the age of 13, parental consent will be required.

We want to know what you think: At what age should children be allowed to have smartphones?


Poll Results:

15-17 (6768)
12-14 (4469)
Under 12 (479)
I'm not sure (370)

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73 Comments
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    Mute Ben McArthur
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:33 AM

    I had my first smartphone at 37. Somehow we all survived without them.

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    Mute Jamie Smith
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:22 AM

    @Ben McArthur: innocent times

    48
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    Mute Coner Willis
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:26 AM

    @Ben McArthur: Times have changed.

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    Mute Jho Harris
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:40 AM

    @Coner Willis: Not for the better !

    30
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    Mute Carina Clarke
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    Feb 17th 2018, 2:07 PM

    @Ben McArthur: we all got on without cars, public transport, electricity too once upon time. Time moves on. Educating kids is better than prohibition.

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    Mute David McCartney
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    Feb 17th 2018, 3:12 PM

    @Coner Willis: Times haven’t changed really..human beings have changed.On waking each day I look at the news fully expecting to hear about the latest murder!

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    Mute purple rain
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    Feb 17th 2018, 3:32 PM

    @Ben McArthur: no they weren’t invented yet.

    4
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    Mute Leitrim303
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    Feb 17th 2018, 7:19 PM

    @Ben McArthur: I got my first smart phone this year. not sure how i lasted this long

    2
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    Mute Don Juan
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:32 AM

    Having given my daughter one at 12…in hindsight I should have waited until 17..

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:18 AM

    @Don Juan: it’s a learning curve for a lot of parents. Even with my background in IT, I wouldn’t presume that my 12 year old couldn’t outsmart me when hiding their iPhone usage.

    69
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    Mute Dónal MacAonghusa
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:32 AM

    It all depends on parents .. are they checking their child’s phone regularly? Are they making sure the child can only have it at certain hours etc.. A phone is not something you give a child and then do nothing else.

    196
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    Mute Mary Cullinane
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:03 AM

    @Dónal MacAonghusa: I don’t think checking them regularly is the answer, today’s kids are so tech savvy now from a very young age that they are more than capable of deleting stuff they don’t want their parents to see. If a child needs a phone to contact their parents for whatever reason an ordinary phone which you can buy for €30 is sufficient, at least parents can have peace of mind that they are contactable in case of an emergency. All it takes is a few parents to put down their foot as regards this in a school and more would follow suit.

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    Mute Peter Cavey
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:04 AM

    @Dónal MacAonghusa: you can monitor apps but once they figure out Google chrome incognito mode, you cannot check their internet usage. They could be viewing literally anything and you can never know.

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    Mute Darach Malone
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:51 AM

    @Peter Cavey: If its an iphone, set the kids phone up using your apple id and you can monitor almost everything.

    12
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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:09 AM

    @Darach Malone: nope, nope and nope. How would you know what they’re viewing on safari or YouTube? What they’re seeing on Snapchat? Silly comment.

    16
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    Mute Mark Johnson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:42 AM

    The headline should be people, not children. No child needs a smartphone. End of..

    22
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    Mute Conor Power
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    Feb 18th 2018, 2:18 AM

    @Peter Cavey: You can totally check usage in incognito mode, just track it on your the router not the device.

    1
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    Mute Coconutmushballs
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:57 AM

    My nephew has an I pod at 10 years of age. It has all the same apps as a smart phone. Unlimited internet access etc. The only thing he cannot do with it is make a traditional phone call.
    The ” phone ” is the least dangerous part of these devices. I think the question should be rephrased. These devices and apps are extremely addictive and influential to the growth of children

    123
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    Mute Ryan
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    Feb 19th 2018, 5:20 PM

    @Coconutmushballs: growth of children explain does a phone take all your vitamins away your iron away and your calcium away how does a phone affect you growth please explain ??????

    1
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    Mute Eugene Tyson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:42 AM

    Why would they need them? Unsupervised access to ANY content on the interweb??? Common sense says no need for it.

    104
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    Mute Boyne Sharky
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    Feb 17th 2018, 4:06 PM

    @Eugene Tyson: Agreed. I think the point that many people forget is a smartphone is essentially a powerful, portable computer with full internet access.
    It may have been somewhat easier 20 years ago to say a computer stayed in a family room when the thing took 4 strong men to move it and made the noise of a jumbo jet taking off. Smartphones tend to be a lot more insidious, they’re marketed as essential, fun devices – and they can be, however they’re also permanently connected to the internet. For a bullying victim there’s no escape from every email, every social media post, every instant message – the bully can reach their victim no matter where they are. We all know what the consequences of this can lead to.

    10
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    Mute pg38
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:55 AM

    All those people saying 15-17 are obviously childless because they haven’t a clue.
    Smartphones are no different to tablets st the end of the day. Plus we all see the child in the buggy in coffee shops etc being given the phone to keep them quiet.
    A child of 15-17 will have had online access on Xbox , PlayStation or Nintendo for a good few years at that stage.
    It’s up to parents to check the phones and to police how there used .

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    Mute Noel James Doherty
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:19 AM

    @pg38: so if you’re childless you haven’t a clue on this? Okay

    75
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    Mute Eugene Tyson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:23 AM

    @pg38: a games console is way different to a smartphone. You can control internet in your house. But not on a smartphone when your child is down the field looking up god knows what on the smartphone.

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    Mute George Salter
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:37 AM

    @pg38: Thank you for your irrational assumption. I’m not childless. Perhaps- assuming that you have children- you should try doing your duty as a parent, rather than throw your hands up in defeat?

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    Mute Melissa O'Callaghan
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    Feb 17th 2018, 1:15 PM

    @Eugene Tyson: games console they could be talking to / playing with anyone. Same with apps on tablets. It’s the Wi-Fi connection that makes it a risk not the fact it’s a phone or even the social media at least their risks are obvious.

    4
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    Mute Eugene Tyson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 1:34 PM

    @Melissa O’Callaghan: youre wrong because you can monitor your children at home. Turn off the wifi in your home. You cant monitor your child when theyre out playing and they have smartphone connected to the internet.

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    Mute Ron North
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    Feb 17th 2018, 2:00 PM

    @Noel James Doherty: You should do a course on logic, your skills are lacking in that department.

    3
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    Mute Noel James Doherty
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    Feb 17th 2018, 2:54 PM

    @Ron North: how did you survive infancy?

    5
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    Mute pg38
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    Feb 17th 2018, 7:27 PM

    @Noel James Doherty: pretty much

    1
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    Mute pg38
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    Feb 17th 2018, 7:28 PM

    @Eugene Tyson: So u dont allow them to take the smartphone outside

    1
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    Mute pg38
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    Feb 17th 2018, 7:30 PM

    @George Salter: Don’t worry about my duties as you call them. I feel sorry for you , you obviously view your children as a job. That’s sad

    1
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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:07 PM

    @pg38: but there is the problem… parents don’t do that.. or parents don’t really bother or care.

    4
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    Mute Orla van der Noll
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:43 AM

    Got my first smartphone when I was 18 which I paid for myself. Now, every day out in public I see TODDLERS in the buggy with a smartphone, eyes transfixed on the screen. Not a healthy way to grow up. Already addicted to screens at that age.

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    Mute Garreth Byrne
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:45 AM

    Children should be given books long before they get smartphones.

    73
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    Mute Stephen McInerney
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:58 AM

    It’s all about control. Our son had one from eleven and I set the whole thing up as in passwords for everything. And there’s one rule. We have the right to check it anytime we want and he’s not allowed add anyone unless we check first. And this goes for all devices. If he doesn’t like any of it then he gets nothing!!!!

    82
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    Mute Neville Patterson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:28 AM

    @Stephen McInerney: same here. My 11 year old hands it over when I ask for it and I can go through it

    34
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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:33 AM

    @Stephen McInerney: bit weird

    9
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    Mute Louise Flanagan
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:40 AM

    I just asked my 6 year old at what age should at kid get a phone. She said not until they’re 16. Told her she is now not getting one until she’s 16. She told me 2 of her friends have them and of course it’s not fair!!! Something very wrong about 6 or 7 year olds having phones!

    49
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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:57 AM

    @Louise Flanagan: there not really phones though are they… that mindset needs to change… they’re computers with unfiltered access to the internet in all its uncensored glory.

    33
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Feb 17th 2018, 2:39 PM

    @john Appleseed: only if you have mobile data enabled and paid for – a kid can have a smart phone that makes and receive normal calls and texts when away from home and has WIFI access when at home it is up to parents how they choose to bring up their children

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    Mute Louise Flanagan
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    Feb 17th 2018, 6:12 PM

    @john Appleseed: you’re right! Modern fecknology at its finest

    1
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    Mute John donnelly
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:57 AM

    When they can afford to buy one themselves

    32
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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:58 AM

    @John donnelly: so if kids today are anything to go by, when they’re 28!

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    Mute Dean Anderson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:53 AM

    @John donnelly: kids are saving communions &confirmation money to buy smartphones. my communion money went towards my NES ..happy times trying to kill the dog on duck hunt

    7
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    Mute Steve Mac
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:37 AM

    Where’s the option that it depends on the child?

    28
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    Mute Jorge Thompson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:50 AM

    @Steve Mac: There’s too much in this world in ‘keeping up with the neighbours’. One child gets something then the rest of the world wants it – NOTE: What you want is very often not what you need.

    66
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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:20 AM

    @Jorge Thompson: your child could be very responsible but what about the unsolicited content they will receive on a daily basis.

    16
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    Mute Paul O Connor
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:34 AM

    I know plenty of people in their 20′s and 30′s who shouldn’t have aa smartphone. Especially when they’re in the pub.

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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:38 AM

    Would you give your child the keys to your car.. no child should have access to social media under the age of 15..there is no need for them to have it..a standard phone is plenty sufficient for there needs..

    23
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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:34 AM

    @OCallaghan TP: driving a car and texting your friend are a bit different no ?

    5
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Feb 17th 2018, 2:36 PM

    @OCallaghan TP: what about a bicycle? many kids have them with stabiliser by the age of three and we teach them (hopefully) how to cycle and then how to be safe on the road… and what is wrong with teaching a child how to drive a car (obviously not on a public road but on private property and under supervision) we let lots of kids go bumper car driving or even carting at a young age – What rules you apply to your children is, of course, your business but what rules I apply (applied) to mine is my business.

    Also the issue was the question of a smart phone which might not even have data enabled so only uses WIFI in the house and the ability to make normal calls and texts when away from home… the subject is about Smart Phones not the internet or social media.

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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Feb 17th 2018, 2:59 PM

    @Ollie Watson: were not talking about that…wake up !!

    1
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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Feb 17th 2018, 3:02 PM

    @Niall Ó Cofaigh: for your information..data is enabled quite easily… and we’re talking about a child under 15..

    3
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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:38 AM

    @OCallaghan TP: it’s what YOU said

    1
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    Mute Tony Gordon
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    Feb 17th 2018, 12:20 PM

    I am a parent, I and I alone will decide on when my children have access to any technology and it will moderated as I see fit.

    Now, can everyone else p1ss off and mind their own business.

    13
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Feb 17th 2018, 2:30 PM

    @Tony Gordon: I agree 100% with you – no one else’s business nor is it the states duty to legislate – smart phone legislation, what next, the internet regulation, censorship?

    5
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    Mute GizmoIrl
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:53 AM

    I think that in its current form a smart phone for over 15.

    However, surely these tech giants can come up with age related content.

    I wish the internet’s was there when I was a kid.

    13
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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:56 AM

    @GizmoIrl: I’m glad it wasn’t. I’d hate to see the mistakes I made as a teenager plastered for ever more on the internet.

    41
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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:32 AM

    Confirmation was when I got mine I’m 14 on Tuesday

    11
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    Mute TheBluffmaster2
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:40 AM

    @Ollie Watson: Happy birthday Ollie!!

    14
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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:38 AM

    @TheBluffmaster2: sound Bluff

    1
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    Mute Derek Durkin
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    Feb 17th 2018, 12:47 PM

    It depends on the individual, the maturity of the child and the quality of parenting but the worst thing to do is to get the State to regulate it.

    12
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Feb 17th 2018, 2:27 PM

    I do not believe it is any of the states business, nor indeed anyone but a child’s parents, as to the age that a child gets a smart phone.

    Not saying there are not dangers, but that is like asking at what age a child should be allowed a bicycle at. More people are injured or killed by bicycles then smart phones – it is not the phone (or bicycle) that affects people but rather how it is used and that is where parental responsibility kicks in, under 12 or over 12 or until they are adults and no longer the responsibility of their parents.

    Sadly many parents do not know the dangers of the internet or smart phones and many more just use it as a pacifier – both of which are unacceptable and could spoil it for others.

    Used properly the internet and smart phone is a life changing device.

    5
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    Mute Neville Patterson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 10:27 AM

    You give your child a smartphone when they are old enough to be let away from you in a shopping centre for an hour on their own. A smartphone can be tracked using find my iPhone too

    5
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    Mute Ollie Watson
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    Feb 17th 2018, 11:33 AM

    @Neville Patterson: weirdo if you track your kids

    3
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    Mute Anthony newey
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    Feb 17th 2018, 1:01 PM

    So many “adults” use phones while driving that whether a child has a phone at thirteen or not is the least of the problem with the wretched things.

    4
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    Mute windbag
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:43 AM

    1 …

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    Mute TheBluffmaster2
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    Feb 17th 2018, 9:44 AM

    @windbag: 18th birthday.

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    Mute thelynchmob
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    Feb 17th 2018, 7:08 PM

    Education in regard to online safety & security should be mandatory in the school curriculum in some form. Unfortunately that’s the times we live in. It may not stop kids from accessing what they want, but it may help them understand the dangers a little bit more.

    3
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    Mute SlinkyDog
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    Feb 17th 2018, 1:32 PM

    Plenty of “legit spyware apps” around and a plethora of options to retrict usage either built into smart devices or a quick playstore search away… you can find all this stuff with a quick google, i dont see why all the abi e coupled with some actual parenting what such a big deal is about. No tech savy enough? Get someone else to advise! Dont be lazy and just hand over the device…

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    Mute 245hkJ01
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    Feb 17th 2018, 6:11 PM

    Knee-jerk moral panic based on myth, misconception and ignorance. Each generation thinks the next one has gone to ruin. Use the security settings on tablet or smartphone – focussing on smartphones alone is nonsensical, and focussing on everything is unworkable. May as well be in favour of banning the internet. Btw our parents didn’t need internet when they were our age, now did they; nor our grandparents televisions, nor our great grandparents electricity…preposterous logic to use such arguments for children too.

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    Mute Daniel Carson
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:01 AM

    Hahah, imagine a 16 year old going into school and telling the lads he’s not allowed have a smartphone……

    2
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