Experts suggest five tips for parents who want to avoid giving their child a smartphone for mental health reasons.

Some parents worldwide are striving to shield their children from smartphone dangers despite the difficulty of doing so in today's digital age.

The Smartphone Free Childhood organization, founded in the U.K., unites parents who do not give their children smartphones. It has since expanded internationally as research on the topic grows.

A study by Sapien Labs of 27,969 18-24 year olds from 41 countries revealed that young people who got a phone before the age of 10 had worse mental health outcomes than those who got a phone after the age of 15.

In 2021, a Common Sense report stated that at least 42% of American children owned a smartphone by the age of 10.

While some parents give their children smartphones for safety reasons, such as being able to contact them and track their location when they're outside the home, this may also result in negative mental health effects.

Kathleen Pike, CEO of One Mind at Work and psychology professor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, compared the cell phone and current technologies to the automobile and its early days in an interview with CNBC Make It, stating that the number of fatalities was dramatic due to people being thrown from their cars.

The lack of seatbelts and airbags in the chassis made people vulnerable, prompting the implementation of regulations, better design, and policies to safeguard the health and wellbeing of drivers and passengers. Similarly, we are in the early stages of cell phone and technology development, and we need to take proactive measures to protect the health and wellbeing of users.

Five tips for avoiding giving your kids a smartphone were shared by Columbia's Pike and Zach Rausch, a research scientist at New York University Stern School of Business and the lead researcher for Jonathon Haidt's number one New York Times bestseller "The Anxious Generation."

Organize with other parents

Rausch stated that being the only parent denying your child a smartphone can be isolating for both you and your child.

To make it easier for your child to understand the decision to delay smartphones until high school, find a group of their friends' parents and discuss the idea together. If all parties agree, you can say, "Well, just like Johnny, your friends won't be getting their smartphones until they're 14," making the conversation more digestible for the child.

Pike suggested collaborating with other parents, as she recounted an anecdote about a parent whose child's fifth grade class established a parent-teacher association.

"When nobody else in the classroom has a cell phone, it makes it a whole lot easier for your child not to have a cellphone," Pike said.

Your child's lack of a smartphone may create extra stressors for them, the expert pointed out.

Phone-based childhood versus play-based childhood

Experts advised that children who lack smartphones should substitute their behavior with alternative forms of entertainment.

Rausch explained that the advent of the new phone-based childhood has led to the decline of the play-based childhood, which was characterized by kids spending more time outdoors, being independent, playing, and taking risks, all of which are essential for human development.

Parents must provide their children with a new outlet for creativity in addition to removing technology.

Another idea is to establish a weekly playdate group among parents, where their children engage in outdoor activities while the adults remain indoors.

Teenagers can plan social gatherings with friends, such as going out for pizza.

"Small, independent adventures outside of the home are possible, depending on the location. These can include going to a concert or the movies," he said.

He stated that the objective is to achieve independence and interact with other children in person while facing social and real-world challenges, in order to cultivate autonomy and competence for success.

Start the conversation early

To avoid being caught off guard later, Pike and Rausch suggest beginning discussions about smartphones with children from an early age.

It's better to start a conversation with a child early on rather than abruptly, as it will be more challenging to separate them from their smartphone if they don't comprehend their parents' reasons.

"Kids' Brains & Screens" by Melanie Hempe is a book that could help start a conversation about the risks and dangers of technology for teenagers.

Giving a smartphone to a bored child as entertainment can lead to significant problems in the future, as Pike pointed out.

If a child is restless at the dinner table, it may be easier to distract them with a smartphone and cartoons. However, if this becomes the default solution, parents should understand that their kids are not developing the skills to manage their boredom.

"They are not mastering the art of sitting still and visualizing, nor are they developing the ability to live with their curiosity and create an environment that fosters curiosity, allowing them to venture out and explore. They are not becoming active."

Model responsible smartphone use

To demonstrate responsible smartphone use to children, it is crucial to "set a good example with our own phone behavior," as Rausch suggests.

By controlling what you can, such as modeling good technology use as a parent, you can set an example for your kids. For instance, keeping your phone out of the bedroom at night and avoiding phone usage during dinner can be seen by your children.

Set strong boundaries

It's crucial not to give in to your child or teen's demands for a smartphone, as it's unlikely that the conversation will go smoothly, and they may have a tantrum or put up a fuss, according to Rausch.

If a parent would not give their child cigarettes or alcohol if asked, then the same logic must be applied to smartphone use.

Rausch stated that it is challenging for parents to establish boundaries and exhibit strong leadership while feeling confident in saying no.

However, like any other product with a high risk of harm, such as alcohol or cigarettes, the conflict may occur. As parents, it is our responsibility and courage to simply say no and delay, while also explaining the potential harms.