Assessing Child Readiness for Phones

The article explores the challenges and the importance of determining the appropriate age and level for children to own smartphones in Oman. Currently, there is no official law specifying the permissible age. However, research and surveys indicate that most parents prefer that children start using phones after the age of 15, with an average suitable age of around 17 for social media platforms. Health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasize that readiness depends not only on age but also on the child's behavior, including adherence to rules and the ability to control impulses. Parents are advised to supervise children's screen time and gaming activities, ensure that the child understands the purpose of using the phone, and set specific times for device use while monitoring the content.