We often discuss the research of cell phone usage among our kids.  However, for this episode, we wanted to hear what a teenager had to say about this important topic.  Join us, as we interview our 14-year-old daughter to talk about the positives, the negatives, and even what age SHE thinks kids should get a cell phone.  Oh, and she may or may not be excited about actually getting a cell phone.  Tune in as we welcome our first ever in-studio guest to the Not On My Watch Podcast to discuss her thoughts on cell phones!

Learning Points

• Jeff and Rochelle introduce Madelynn to get her take on Middle Schoolers and cell phones.
• Madelynn discloses the rules for cell phones in our home.
• Madelynn reflects on both the positives and negatives of having a cell phone.
• Madelynn is posed the age-old question, “What age do you think kids should get a phone?”

Quotes

• “…most kids…probably 95% of my grade have a cell phone.”
• “So…kids…they’re not supposed to have them. So, you’re supposed to leave it in your locker, but most kids put it in their backpack because they’re afraid of…kids seeing it. So, they just put it in their backpack, and they turn it off. And…some teachers turn on their airdrop and they can see…who has their airdrop on. And they’re like, “Oh, give me your phone. So, yeah. And those are my favorite teachers.”
• “Shout out to all you middle school teachers who are…just doing the good hard work. Advocating for digital purity.”
• “I do know that when I pull up for pickup…. Most kids are not talking to each other. They’re…looking at their phones, scrolling…”
• “You can’t just do whatever you want on them. It’s not a playground…a free-range playground. You have to be careful with…what apps you’re downloading and who you’re texting. You have to make sure…who you’re texting and…who it actually is.  That you’re texting a real life human.”
• “I don’t want you to feel left out, but I care about your brain, literally your spiritual life…all the things that matter. And that’s why we really have chosen this path.”
• “And you can disagree with me publicly, and that’ll be fine. You will not be in trouble. I’m just letting you know. But you said a lot of drama at middle school surrounds cell phones.”
• “I know several people have had to have their phones turned in and like principals and administrators have had to look through them.”