PETALING JAYA: A heated debate is brewing online over whether children should be given dumb phones instead of smartphones.
A Reddit thread asking parents about simple phones for kids quickly drew dozens of responses, splitting commentators into two camps – those who favour smartphones with proper guidance and those who prefer keeping children offline.
Many argued that smartphones, when used responsibly, have become essential in modern childhood.
Redditor karlkry wrote: “I would give them smartphones. Not teaching them how to use it properly and just removing the privilege is lazy parenting”.
Father of two Dorian_Gray agreed: “I have their phones installed with Google Family Link and no social media accounts. WhatsApp and Roblox are the apps they use. I play Roblox with them sometimes. If both parents use smartphones while kids are stuck with dumb phones, what does that teach them?”
Others stressed the need for responsible use. User spaghetticode94 warned that excessive social media can “train the brain for short-term gratification”, affecting long-term focus and study habits.
“Parents must explain why limits exist, or children risk developing harmful habits that persist into adulthood,” they added.
Redditor Claude2422 said smartphones are not too much for children if parents stay involved.
He said: “Using a dumb phone just drops their information intake by 90%. Parents should openly discuss all kinds of information with their kids – good and bad – so they can learn to navigate the world responsibly.”
Still, concerns about safety and exposure remained strong. User Punrusorth shared a harrowing experience: “I went through the trauma of being groomed by predators. I never want my kids to go through that.”
Redditor solblurgh said perspectives often depend on personal experience: “Those without kids might say yes, give them smartphones and teach them to be vigilant. Cutting off smartphones entirely is ‘lazy parenting’. But as a parent, I didn’t give my child access to the internet or smartphones.
“Now he’s a bit behind in technology skills and socially isolated because his friends are glued to their devices, but he spends more time on sports or camping to socialise.”
Others highlighted the need for parents to model healthy behaviour. TheBotMadeThis said: “The most important part is not letting kids get addicted, but that’s hard when parents themselves are doom-scrolling.”
For Dhurane, the issue is balance: “Not exactly the dumb phones of the past. I’d still want location sharing and a non-SMS way to chat”.
Redditor lzchyi stressed: “Prepare children for the future by teaching them to use AI and smartphones responsibly while setting clear boundaries”.
User DegenNabalu: “Kids can be taught to navigate technology responsibly if parents are engaged. Set boundaries and educate them about what’s right and wrong”.
