How young is too young for children to have smartphones?

Sunday, August 2, 2015
VIDEO: How young is too young for children to have smartphones?
It seems like nearly everyone has a smartphone these days - even children. But just how young is too young to have one?

It seems like nearly everyone has a smartphone these days - even children. But just how young is too young to have one?

Dr. Joe Austerman, a child psychiatrist at the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, warns against giving a smartphone to any child under the age of 10.

He also says kids should be mature enough to understand the dangers of cyberbullying and predators.

Dr. Austerman encourages parents to set rules and to talk to their kids to make sure they understand them.

"I always say to parents monitor, monitor, monitor and be engaged with your child so that he or she feels comfortable talking to you if there are problems with the handheld device," said Dr. Austerman.

He says it's important for parents to set the phone up with proper parental controls and it's a good idea to put together a contract with your children and have them sign it.