Dad Wants To Know If He Was Wrong For Not Buying His 3-Year-Old Daughter A Phone

Nowadays, when gadgets are just within reach, particularly mobile phones, the sight of children using their devices is not new at all. However, for this dad of a 3-year-old girl, he does not want any phone for his child.

Do you feel the same way as this dad? Well, I do.

If I had a child, I would not buy her a phone unless she had grown into a teenager.

Others may find this perspective too backward, given that we are now in a technological age—not just an ordinary one, but an advanced stage. However, for those who have observed children closely, you will surely agree that gadgets can be incredibly distracting in whatever they do.

Gadgets can consume much of their time. Imagine these kids getting hooked on watching videos instead of studying their lessons.

Psychologically, phones can also be detrimental. Most kids diagnosed with ADHD are advised to engage in physical activities instead of becoming absorbed in their phones.

Behavior is greatly affected. Even if your kids only watch YouTube Kids, for example, it is not completely censored, and you can tell that by their choice of words and behavior.

Their self-esteem is likely to be affected as actual child play and interaction are replaced by gadget use. So here comes this dad, asking if he was wrong for not buying his child a phone.

Although the account has been deleted, this dad sent a query (if he was wrong for not allowing his daughter to have a phone) to the "Am I The Assh*le" community.

My fiancée (28F) and I (29M) have a daughter who just turned 3.

Just turning THREE. Is there a need to put further emphasis on that?

So yesterday, my fiancée told me that she hates having to keep giving up her phone to our daughter and that we should give her a phone, to which I replied, “Absolutely not! She’s just turning three. However, we could get her those learning tablets since she will be starting preschool soon.”

As a compromise, the child is given a learning tablet instead of a phone.

My fiancée told me, “Loosen up! You’re acting like one of those helicopter parents, and most toddlers have phones. She always throws fits when I don’t give her my phone, so what if we just give her my old phone, maybe?”

Now the child has been throwing tantrums, and the fiancée is left to deal with it solely.

I told her, “Maybe when she’s 12 or 13, but for now, let’s just get her that educational tablet.” And we just left it at that.She’s been giving me the silent treatment, and now it’s making me wonder, AITA?

Check out the edit: this clarifies everything.

Edit: I’ve always given up my phone to her, but when she has fits, I would say no. Because she told our daughter that I’m the boring parent who ALWAYS says “No,” and she’s the fun parent who always says “Yes,” as a result, our daughter would go to my fiancée whenever she wants things such as sweets before bed and, of course, her phone.

Phones should not replace social interactions.

tepp0619

Gadgets harm children's brain development.

Gadgets have been shown to severely affect kids negatively, from harming their brain development and learning skills to influencing obesity, etc.There is a certain age mark where it is safe to offer kids specifically designed learning games on tablets, but allowing them to watch videos and play games without guidance at 3 years old is just outrageous.All parents need to educate themselves on the effects of gadget use.

ImFinePleaseThanks

Toddlers should not have smartphones.

radfordra1

Books, not a phone.

Thejmax / Zealousideal-Set-592

Don't give that young, moldable brain something to get hooked on.

NTA. WTAF. My three-year-old asks to see pictures on my phone but doesn’t need her own! She has an educational tablet that she LOVES, and we limit her time on it. Do not give that young, moldable brain something to get hooked on.

gillygillyj

In conclusion, most have taken sides with this dad.

Tantrums do expire in a way, and they are not forever. What is important is that you save your kids from the destruction that owning a single phone can bring about.

Do you feel the same way too? I hope you do.