Once upon a time, smartphones were relatively safe from hackers compared to traditional personal computers. But as people began to use their devices for sensitive activities like banking, shopping and medical consultations, the flood gates opened.

It’s time for your kid’s first phone, and questions are swirling in your head. “How do I make sure they are safe while giving them independence? How are other parents monitoring their kid’s phone life?”

Dear Mom and Dad: You’re not alone.

Most parents raising kids today are questioning what age is appropriate for their child to have a phone. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t simple.

The mindless gaze. We’ve all seen it, and many of us have done it ourselves. But when our children are staring at screens for hours, it brings a whole new level of worry for parents: “How much time should my kid spend in front of a screen?” 

Parenting in the social media era can be daunting.

Make sure your kids understand that having a connected device comes with responsibilities. Set the ground rules with the C Spire Family Online Safety Pledge, which provides guidelines to help your kids and teens use their devices and the internet safely.

Sharing stories from the front lines of parenthood with fellow soldiers is a pastime honored through the generations. In the age of social media and the wide-open internet, though, the stakes for parents and kids are higher than ever.