Middle School.

It will hit our house in just a few short months like an unforeseen kiss….or a sloppy wet kiss (some of you may get that reference and some may not). I’m still not sure which one fits best. I’m also not sure how we got here so fast, and yet, here we are.

And with it comes the question that has been asked more than I can count already…

“Can I get a cell phone?!”

Such a simple question with profound implications. Screen time, social media, text messaging, internet access, and the issues go on.

It feels a bit like dipping your hands in oil and trying to catch a football…blindfolded.

Personal experience has already informed us of the effects extended screen time has on kids’ attitudes and attention, and social media is proving to be even worse for the emotional state of our kids. And yet, the benefits of a cell phone for kids spread across different school buildings, with different schedules, and increasing extracurricular activities is an important data point to consider too.

So, let’s do a survey of our own.

If you are in the same boat, with cell phones and increased access to social media on the horizon, what questions are you asking those who have gone before you?

If you are already down this road, and have kids with cell phones in your life or house, what questions did you ask before taking the plunge and what questions do you WISH you asked now that you are dealing with cell phones and kids?

This is certainly an issue each family must address for themselves, but perhaps we can help each other along the way. I plan to put together a survey and share here, but I know I’m missing questions I should be asking. Comment and share and let’s learn together.

Because none of us are smarter than all of us…. #daddylessons