To phone or not to phone...THAT is the question!

When the boy child was 2, his dad decided to purchase him an iPod. There were many opinions about the appropriateness of the gift. Some thought it was too expensive, some thought he was too young, some thought we were crazy…we thought "why not?"

At the time of the purchase…social media, text messaging, website monitoring, etc., wasn't on our radar. We downloaded a few apps and before long, he was downloading them himself. Life was good simple.

Fast forward to today…

He is now 9. And EVERY DAY is a fight!

“Mommy can I use your phone? Mommy can I use your iPad? Where is Daddy’s iPad? When can I have my own phone? ALL OF MY FRIENDS HAVE A PHONE! One of my friends have 2 phones. I’m the only one on earth without a phone!”

And the beat goes on and on and on and on…EVERY.DAY. <screams>

Hence the question:

When did you succumb to this parenting pain point and give your kid(s) a mobile device? Is it worth the headache...Hidden apps? Monitoring apps? If you have multiple kids, did each one earn the privilege at the same time? How has the privilege benefited you?

Do tell...