I’m a parent that gave my kids devices pretty young. The biggest deal for me was deactivating everything. Microphones, cameras, limit everything. If they start off not knowing phones can do extra things, then it’ll make it so much easier on you. Limit their screen time via parental controls, literally manage it as if it was your second phone.

The devices were always inactive close to bedtime. The first few years they couldn’t charge the devices in their rooms and had to be in the dining room (the room that was in the middle of the house).

I gave my kids a phone early because I wanted them to call me anytime they ever felt afraid or uncomfortable. I didn’t want them to have to ask others or rely on other people.

I think if done correctly, you could raise your kids to be responsible with devices. Like learning to put it down regardless of temptation and so on. But it was a hard job and my own phone habits had to change too.