Although smartphones are designed to meet the needs of adult consumers, children are emerging as vulnerable users who may be exposed to age-inappropriate content. A study conducted by Joachim Schüz found that nearly half of children in the United States of America have either been exposed to or use smartphones for entertainment. Moreover, studies indicate that many parents are willing to buy for their children smartphones for communication as well as entertainment on non-school days. Of great concern is the fact that children may be exposed to dangerous content while using smartphones (Cohen, n.pag). Besides, the radiative effects of smartphones may have significant impacts on the cognitive and physical development of children (Ling and Troels 129). This study discusses the use of smartphones among children, highlights negative effects, and suggests potential solutions that would protect children from potentially harmful content.
The perceptions of parents regarding the use of mobile technology by children
According to Genc, most parents believe that their children use smartphones for entertainment (58). When given smartphones, children would search for game apps or YouTube Kids which provide songs for children. As a result, most parents prefer giving their children smartphones at least once a day for entertainment (Cohen, n.pag). However, while doing so, many parents are aware of the potential negative effects because children do not have the capacity to determine what is wrong or right in smartphones. For instance, some parents believe that spending so much time on smartphones may deny children adequate time for physical activities. Most parents believe that children are likely to be more creative if allowed to explore their knowledge and skills on physical activities (Ling and Troels 131). Moreover, there have also been concerns regarding the effects of radiation on children. While research on the effects of radiation on human health is still inadequate, most parents believe in taking early measures to prevent problems such as physical or mental health conditions.
The Appropriate Age for Children to use Smartphones
The appropriate age for using smartphones among children remains debatable. Researchers suggest that 10 years and above should be the appropriate age for giving smartphones to children. Before doing so, parents should evaluate the behaviors of their children to ensure they are capable of using smartphones responsibly (Ling and Bartel 129). Microsoft founder Bill Gates are among the parents who have weighed in on the debate regarding the use of smartphones. In his testimony, Bill Gates said that he allowed his child to have access to smartphones at the age of 14 (Curtin, n.pag). In other words, he waited until the child was old enough to use the smartphones responsibly (Curtin, n.pag). in addition, whether 14 should be the most appropriate age remains debatable. Even at age 14, children are not safe from smartphones due to various problems including targeted advertisements which may introduce them into bad behaviors. A good example is the case of e-cigarettes whose manufacturers at some points developed adverts that targeted teenagers and circulated them on popular sites such as YouTube. Parents should play a leading role in monitoring the behaviors or sites most visited by their children (Hardell 137). This may reduce exposure to potentially harmful or misleading content.

How Young Children use Smartphones
Most children use smartphones for entertainment and education since they provide a variety of entertainment including video games and songs (Cohen, n.pag). Education among children begins from songs that not only entertain them but also teach them various skills. For instance, some of the educative songs tell children how to identify parts of their body such as head, shoulder, knees, toes, eyes, ears, and mouth. The songs may also teach them various domestic items including doors, windows, kitchen, and many other items. When taught using songs, children are likely to hold knowledge in their brains even for a lifetime. Educative songs also generate the urge among children to go to school and learn more skills (Schüz 549). Many parents believe that giving their children smartphones may enhance their cognitive capacity and improve their intelligence in the classroom. Some educative songs also teach children how to solve various problems including searching for lost items (Ling and Troels 131). For the purpose of education, most parents believe that children should not be denied smartphones. The smartphones may provide basic knowledge and skills needed by children to overcome various challenges in their lives.
Positive Effects of Smartphone usage on Children’s Life
Despite their potential consequences, smartphones are good for a child’s cognitive and mental development (Schüz 547). Electronic books and songs available on smartphones may improve literacy skills among children (Radesky, Schumacher, and Zuckerman 1). Most children learn how to count numerical digits from the smartphones. By the time they join the school at age 3 or 4, most children understand how to count and even write some of the numbers they have learned from smartphones. Smartphones introduce children to technology and may improve their innovative skills (Radesky, Schumacher, and Zuckerman 3). With smartphones, children learn how to search for items such as electronic books, games, favorite songs. Smartphones may also improve innovative skills among children by teaching them how to solve problems. Most children have become professional video game developers thanks to early exposure to smartphones. Parents have also found smartphones useful in calming children when they are angry (Cohen, n.pag). The entertainment aspect makes smartphones an important tool for calming down children and making sure they are happy again. Besides, some parents use smartphones to reward good behavior among children. This makes smartphones an important tool for reinforcing good behavior.
Negative Effects of Smartphone usage on Children’s Life
The use of smartphones among children and even adults has been associated with various health and social problems. At a tender age, children may not understand some of the dangers they face while using smartphones (Schüz 548). Radiation is one of the leading health concerns which may affect children if they are overly exposed to smartphones (Hardell 139). Smartphones release radioactive frequencies whose actual impact on health is yet to be established. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the majority of scientific evidence on these frequencies indicate that they are harmless to human beings (Cohen, n.pag). However, very little research has been conducted on the potential effects of these radioactive frequencies on children. It is believed that radiation can impact negatively on the nervous development of children. This can create potential mental problems when a child grows old. Some researchers fear that radiation can lead to aggression, obsessiveness, and other antisocial behaviors among children (Park and Ye 148). The use of smartphones may also affect social development of children because it gives them little or no time to interact with their peers.

Possible Solutions to the Negative Effects of Smartphone Usage on Children’s Life
Protecting children from potential harm begins by restricting access until parents are convinced that they can use smartphones responsively. Even if they have to wait until they turn 14, parents should ensure their children are responsible enough to use technology without fear (Hardell 138). Parents should also rely on various tools to monitor how their children use smartphones. Various features such as app lock can assist parents to restrict access to certain sites which are potentially harmful to children. Parents should also speak openly about potential issues that children may face while using smartphones (Cohen, n.pag). Being open will also assist children to understand the purpose of certain restrictions imposed by their parents regarding the use of smartphones.

Smartphones are among the most popular technologies among children. Studies indicate that most children use smartphones for entertainment and education. Various electronic books, video games, and educative songs may assist children to improve their literacy skills. Smartphones also introduce children to technology and may enhance their innovative capacity as they grow. However, the use of smartphones limits the time that children need to explore physical activities. There are also concerns about potential exposure to radioactive frequencies from smartphones. While the actual dangers associated with radiation is yet to be determined, parents should take early measures to minimize exposure. Parents should also speak openly to their children regarding various dangers they may face while using smartphones.

Works Cited
Genc, Zulfu. “Parents’ perceptions about the mobile technology use of preschool-aged children.” Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences 146 (2014): 55-60.
Park, Cheol, and Ye Rang Park. “The conceptual model on smartphone addiction among early childhood.” International Journal of Social Science and Humanity 4.2 (2014): 147- 150
Schüz, Joachim. Mobile phone use and exposures in children. Bioelectromagnetics 26.57 (2005): 545-550.
Curtin, Mellanie. “Bill Gates Says This Is The ‘Safest’ Age To Give A Child A Smartphone.” Inc.Com, 2017, https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/bill-gates-says-this-is-the-safest-age-to-give-a-child-a-smartphone.html.
Cohen, Danielle. “When Should You Get Your Kid A Phone?”. Child Mind Institute, 2020, https://childmind.org/article/when-should-you-get-your-kid-a-phone/.
Ling, Richard, and Troels Bertel. “Mobile communication culture among children and adolescents.” The Routledge international handbook of children, adolescents, and media (2013): 127-133.
Hardell, Lennart. “Effects of mobile phones on children’s and adolescents’ health: A commentary.” Child development 89.1 (2018): 137-140.
Radesky, Jenny S., Jayna Schumacher, and Barry Zuckerman. “Mobile and interactive media use by young children: the good, the bad, and the unknown.” Pediatrics 135.1 (2015): 1-3.