Ryan Bridge: Are dumb phones for kids a smart idea?
Ryan Bridge: Are dumb phones for kids a smart idea?
NZ Herald ·
Ryan Bridge: Are dumb phones for kids a smart idea?
NZ Herald ·
Honestly it's a no-brainer, kids don't need smartphones. My neighbour's kid has a dumb phone and he's always outside playing. 😊
they get left out of the group chat and then come crying to you. Good luck mate.
Yeah nah, it's just another middle-class flex. 'Oh look at us, we're so old school.' Kids will just get bullied for not having one.
we managed just fine without group chats. A bit of resilience never hurt anyone.
bloody hell, it's 2026 and we're still having this convo? Parents just need to grow a spine and say no to the device instead of buying some overpriced brick
I got my kid a dumb phone and tbh it's been great. No more begging for screen time. But good luck enforcing it in a few years...
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here's an idea: just don't give them any phone at all??? worked fine for us back in the day lol
haha true… but good luck telling that to a 12yo. parenting in 2026 is cooked
As someone who works in tech, I can tell you these 'dumb phones' still track you and collect data. It's a false sense of security.
simplify? you mean pay $200 for a phone with fewer features? get real
lol 'all grown up now' but still gotta chime in with the hot take 💀
ffs can we stop pretending the solution to parenting is buying a product? just teach your kids self control
I think it's lovely. Kids get to call home without all the toxic social media. Plus they come in nice colours now!
My 10yo has one, she loves it. Battery lasts a week and she can still text the grandparents. Win win win 🎉
That's a bit harsh, I think it's a good option for families who want to simplify things
nah this is just another way to milk parents for cash. Just use an old smartphone with parental controls, dumb idea
exactly! woke people buying into the marketing again