{
  "id": 15733760,
  "title": "We got my older son a phone at 12, and I regretted it. We still got my younger son a phone at the same age.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/we-got-my-older-son-a-phone-at-12-and-i-regretted-it-we-still-got-my",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-20T11:03:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/worried-about-getting-kid-phone-no-regrets-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The author acquired a phone for her older son when he turned 12, a decision she later regretted. Many of his friends had phones before sixth grade, but those who didn't received one at the start of middle school. Jordan Lye/Getty Images The author then decided to give her younger son a phone at the same age, reasoning that he would feel left out if he didn't have one. The author initially opposed the idea, fearing that the phone would expose her son to online dangers. However, her younger son argued that it wasn't fair that his older brother had a phone at 12, and he needed the phone to communicate his whereabouts and schedule changes. The author's husband and son convinced her to purchase the phone, and she is now glad she did. The phone has made her son more responsible, provided the family with a way to communicate schedule changes, and given the son a sense of confidence in his growing maturity.",
  "summary": "I worried about my 12-year-old son having a phone. His older brother got one at the same age, and we regretted it. We still gave in, and I'm glad.",
  "key_points": [
    "Author gave older son a phone at 12, later regretted decision",
    "Younger son received phone at same age, felt left out",
    "Phone increased younger son's responsibility and confidence"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}