It's Time to Give Your Kid a Mobile Device: What Do You Choose?

Questions
62

Yes, but this appears to be what the average parent is spending is my point.

63

I was looking at EU prices for this. Maybe things are cheaper in the US.

I do think you’re underestimating what 300 USD means to a family with a regular income.

64

I see, though that’s 2012 and I assume the ‘national’ in NCL is US?

65

I couldn’t find many EU surveys. I looked at two from the UK and two from the US (and all 4 were roughly the same range).

66

To give you an idea:

I have a child going to college next year. Our gift for graduating high school is a Pixel 8a with GrapheneOS installed. They’ve been using an old Moto phone with either /e/OS or Linux up until now. I’ve not spent 300-500 USD on phones for my children ever. We’ve always used refurbished phones and have a shared family plan.

We are living comfortably on two teacher salaries, but those amounts are significant considerations, nowhere near trivial, for us at least.

I would say I’m living a middle class life. There are many people who can’t make ends meet, and for those families, 300 - 500 USD is simply out of the question.

67

maybe an iPhone, then a Pixel with GrapheneOS when they’re about 14 15

68

Here’s my opinion as a 19 year old. Give them their freedom, educate them and let them make their own choices. You won’t be able to force them to care about privacy, if they do they’ll make those decisions by themselves. For their first phone give them whatever is the cheapest and just block addictive apps/website. Porn, TikTok, Gore, addictive games. These things will rewire your kids brain

This will certainty be unpopular here, but teach them Windows, Microsoft Office and Google. Kids will need this at school/future job. If you don’t teach them how to use those platforms they’ll fall behind. Ofc if they’re interested teach them Linux as well