Smartphones feel inevitable… until you see what early access actually does to a child’s mental health, sleep, and happiness. In this episode, Dr Justin & Kylie Coulson break down new research from Pediatrics and share the family standard that finally ended the phone wars in their home (after one very big mistake).

KEY POINTS


New study: earlier smartphones = worse outcomes for kids.


The four real reasons parents give phones (and why they’re flawed).


Why “safety” doesn’t require a smartphone.


How to replace phones with smarter solutions (incl. dumb phones + watches).


The research consensus: delay improves outcomes.


The family rule that ends entitlement (“when you can afford it…”).


Boundaries if you already handed over a phone (it’s not too late).


The real question: approval now or wellbeing later?

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Kids don’t need smartphones — they need smart parents. And smart parents give their kids dumb phones.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED


Pediatrics research on smartphone age & outcomes (referenced in episode)


SpaceTalk Watch
G-Mee Phone


Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy


Lisa Damour — Adolescent Psychology Resources

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS


Define the real problem you’re solving (safety, logistics, social connection, or training).


Offer alternatives (dumb phone, landline, watch).


Create a family standard — e.g. “When you can pay for it, you can have it.”


If they already have a phone:


Bedrooms & bathrooms = no-phone zones


No phones at meals or short car rides


Time limits & age limits on social media


Review + scale back where possible

Smartphones feel inevitable&hellip; until you see what early access actually does to a child&rsquo;s mental health, sleep, and happiness. In this episode, Dr Justin &amp; Kylie Coulson break down new research from&nbsp;Pediatrics and share the family standard that finally ended the phone wars in their home (after one very big mistake).
KEY POINTS
<ul data-start="569" data-end="1064">
<li data-start="569" data-end="628">
New study: earlier smartphones = worse outcomes for kids.
</li>
<li data-start="629" data-end="698">
The four real reasons parents give phones (and why they&rsquo;re flawed).
</li>
<li data-start="699" data-end="743">
Why &ldquo;safety&rdquo; doesn&rsquo;t require a smartphone.
</li>
<li data-start="744" data-end="821">
How to replace phones with smarter solutions (incl. dumb phones + watches).
</li>
<li data-start="822" data-end="872">
The research consensus: delay improves outcomes.
</li>
<li data-start="873" data-end="941">
The family rule that ends entitlement (&ldquo;when you can afford it&hellip;&rdquo;).
</li>
<li data-start="942" data-end="1010">
Boundaries if you already handed over a phone (it&rsquo;s not too late).
</li>
<li data-start="1011" data-end="1064">
The real question: approval now or wellbeing later?
</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
<blockquote data-start="1099" data-end="1204">
&ldquo;Kids don&rsquo;t need smartphones &mdash; they need smart parents. And smart parents give their kids dumb phones.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul data-start="1238" data-end="1415">
<li data-start="1238" data-end="1314">
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/12/28/adolescent-brain-development-screen-time/">Pediatrics research</a> on smartphone age &amp; outcomes (referenced in episode)
</li>
<li data-start="1315" data-end="1332">
<a href="https://shop.spacetalk.co/products/spacetalk-loop-smartwatch-1">SpaceTalk Watch</a>
</li>
<li data-start="1315" data-end="1332"><a href="https://au.g-mee.com/shop/">G-Mee Phone</a></li>
<li data-start="1333" data-end="1367">
<a href="https://www.freerangekids.com/">Free Range Kids</a> by Lenore Skenazy
</li>
<li data-start="1368" data-end="1415">
Lisa Damour &mdash; <a href="https://drlisadamour.com/resources/">Adolescent Psychology Resources</a>
</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ol data-start="1454" data-end="1901">
<li data-start="1454" data-end="1552">
Define the real problem you&rsquo;re solving (safety, logistics, social connection, or training).
</li>
<li data-start="1553" data-end="1609">
Offer alternatives (dumb phone, landline, watch).
</li>
<li data-start="1610" data-end="1692">
Create a family standard &mdash; e.g. &ldquo;When you can pay for it, you can have it.&rdquo;
</li>
<li data-start="1693" data-end="1901">
If they already have a phone:
<ul data-start="1733" data-end="1901">
<li data-start="1733" data-end="1772">
Bedrooms &amp; bathrooms = no-phone zones
</li>
<li data-start="1776" data-end="1815">
No phones at meals or short car rides
</li>
<li data-start="1819" data-end="1861">
Time limits &amp; age limits on social media
</li>
<li data-start="1865" data-end="1901">
Review + scale back where possible
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

When Do You Give The Kids a Smart Phone?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/e9e11b94-1b20-4bbd-bb6f-b3cf000eb558/transcript