{"id":7375,"date":"2022-10-17T15:05:01","date_gmt":"2022-10-17T15:05:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.getkidas.com\/kidas-website\/dev\/?p=7375"},"modified":"2022-10-19T15:21:59","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T15:21:59","slug":"the-right-age-to-allow-your-kids-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.getkidas.com\/kidas-website\/dev\/the-right-age-to-allow-your-kids-online\/","title":{"rendered":"The Key to Deciding the Right Age to Allow Your Kids Online"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What’s the right age to allow your kids online?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of us communicate online daily, so it\u2019s no surprise that our kids want to be a part of the digital world too.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most frequently asked questions I hear from parents is: what\u2019s the right age for my kid to start using technology and interact with others online?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a question<\/a> that every parent must answer for themselves and unfortunately, there isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chart,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given that, on average, in the U.S,  by age 12, 65% of kids have their own mobile device<\/a>, if kids don\u2019t have the opportunity to communicate online, they may be missing out or left out of peer social interactions that can be so vital to feeling like you\u2019re part of the group when you\u2019re in middle school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s the right age to allow your kids online?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the reality is that because of COPPA<\/a> (The Children\u2019s Online Privacy Protection Act) in the United States, all apps that collect any kind of data must state that the minimum age for use is 13 in their terms and conditions, many apps have LOTS of users who are under age 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \"A<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a \u201cperfect world\u201d, our kids wouldn\u2019t get online until at least 13, but that\u2019s not where we live.  The reality is that kids are starting to communicate online when they\u2019re much younger, so it\u2019s our job as parents to make sure that we teach our kids to use tech safely and appropriately, monitor what they\u2019re doing online, and understand that they will make mistakes as they learn the rules of the digital road.(just like we all make mistakes when we\u2019re learning any new skill).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, I often tell parents that the \u201cright age\u201d for your child to get a device, play online games, or communicate online is when YOU<\/strong> decide they\u2019re \u201cready\u201d and can follow your rules, be responsible with the device, and understand your concerns about safety online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Word of Caution on the right age<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t wait too long<\/strong>.  Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s YOUR JOB to teach them how to use tech safely and if you don\u2019t<\/strong> let them use it<\/strong>, you\u2019re NOT<\/strong> doing YOUR JOB.  Your kids want to \u201cbe where their friends are\u201d and be a part of the conversation that goes on at school, which often involves things that happen online.  Where there\u2019s a will there\u2019s a way and if you wait too long to say yes, your kids will find that way without you knowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proof positive:  In my work as a technology coach, I\u2019ve spoken to tens of thousands of students at schools (when parents are NOT in the room\/auditorium), and the one question I always ask kids who are under 15 is: \u201cDo you use sites, games, or apps your parents don\u2019t know about?\u201d  Nearly 75% of every audience of kids raises their hand when I ask this question.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before Saying Yes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, before you say \u201cyes\u201d to online communication, ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n