Should Minors Be Allowed to Own Mobile Phones?

The Double Take column looks at a single topic from an African and Chinese perspective. This month we discuss if minors should be allowed to use mobile phones.

Teach Them Whilst They Are Still Young

Yin Ying

A 35-year-old educator in Beijing

Although it is not time yet for me to consider allow-ing my six-year old son to own a mobile phone, I believe it is inevitable that he will have one at an early age, because he is in an era of connectivity very different from when we were young.

The extent to which mobile phones can be integrated in the lives of minors is best illustrated by the mandatory use of online education after this Spring Festival across China, when school opening was deferred due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. For the first time in their lives, many teachers carried out their classes via computers and mobile phones.

Besides, when used properly, mobile phones have great value in terms of educating Children. I have been showing my son pictures and videos from my phone since he was 2 years old in addition to traditional educational tools such as cards and books. It is a convenient tool to access interesting materials that will help him better understand the world.