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Show Notes
The average age that kids get a smartphone is nearly 10 years old. Watches are being given closer to 5.
Parents primarily make these decisions for safety; to be able to track their children and get ahold of each other in case of an emergency. But do these devices actually keep children safe? Or are we hindering their autonomy and sense of independence while also potentially exposing them to the dangers that come along with a device?
I brought in youth advocate Ava Smithing of Young People's Alliance to share her experience as a child being tracked by her parents. "I didn't start lying to my mother until she started tracking me like that," shares Ava.
There are so many takeaways for parents in this conversation where we vulnerably discuss finding a balance between protection and trust.
About Ava Smithing
Ava Smithing is the Director of Advocacy at the Young People's Alliance, her first role upon graduating with honors from Stevens Institute of Technology in May 2023, Majoring in Business Management and the History and Philosophy of Technology, with a Public Policy Minor. Since her graduation Ava has been committed to progressing legislation to making social media safer at the state and federal level, through advocacy, community organizing and public engagements. She is an affiliate in All Tech is Human's inaugural affiliate cohort and an advisor on behalf of YPA for the Student Action Network for Equity.