“Everyone else has one!” If you’ve ever heard this plea from your tween about getting a smartphone, you’re not alone. In today’s Q&A episode, Justin and Kylie unpack one dad’s dilemma: a 12-year-old desperate for a phone, parents holding out until Year 8, and the daily battles in between. You’ll hear why one big conversation won’t work, how to keep your child engaged without caving, and three practical strategies to hold the line without losing connection.

KEY POINTS
Why no single conversation will “solve” the phone debate
The 3 E’s of effective discipline (Explore, Explain, Empower)
How to use outside voices (content creators, school assignments) to make the case
Why it helps to talk with other parents — your child isn’t always “the only one”
The ongoing reality: even once they get a phone, the battles don’t stop

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
 “You don’t just get compliance when kids understand your decision — you get buy-in.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED
The Parenting Revolution by Dr Justin Coulson
Content creators: Jonathan Haidt, Official Herd, Dr Brad Marshall (“The Unplugged Psychologist”), Freya India
[Study] Blocking mobile internet on smartphones improves sustained attention, mental health, and subjective well-being
The Heads Up Alliance - Australian families delaying social media and smartphones for children, together
Wait Until 8th 
Rebecca Sparrow's FREE download "Beginner Phones for Tweens and Teens"

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Keep the conversations ongoing — not one-and-done.
Use external voices and resources to reinforce your message.
Encourage your child to research and present arguments for and against screens.
Connect with other parents to reality-check the “everyone else has one” claim.
Focus on understanding and buy-in, not just rules.

&ldquo;Everyone else has one!&rdquo; If you&rsquo;ve ever heard this plea from your tween about getting a smartphone, you&rsquo;re not alone. In today&rsquo;s Q&amp;A episode, Justin and Kylie unpack one dad&rsquo;s dilemma: a 12-year-old desperate for a phone, parents holding out until Year 8, and the daily battles in between. You&rsquo;ll hear why one big conversation won&rsquo;t work, how to keep your child engaged without caving, and three practical strategies to hold the line without losing connection.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why no single conversation will &ldquo;solve&rdquo; the phone debate</li>
<li aria-level="1">The 3 E&rsquo;s of effective discipline (Explore, Explain, Empower)</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to use outside voices (content creators, school assignments) to make the case</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why it helps to talk with other parents &mdash; your child isn&rsquo;t always &ldquo;the only one&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">The ongoing reality: even once they get a phone, the battles don&rsquo;t stop</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t just get compliance when kids understand your decision &mdash; you get buy-in.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://happyfamilies.com.au/shop/product/the-parenting-revolution">The Parenting Revolution</a> by Dr Justin Coulson</li>
<li aria-level="1">Content creators: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jonathanhaidt/?hl=en">Jonathan Haidt</a>, Official Herd, Dr Brad Marshall (&ldquo;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/unpluggedpsychologist/?hl=en">The Unplugged Psychologist</a>&rdquo;), <a href="https://www.freyaindia.co.uk/about">Freya India</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">[Study] <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39967678/">Blocking mobile internet on smartphones improves sustained attention, mental health, and subjective well-being</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://linktr.ee/theheadsupalliance">The Heads Up Alliance</a> - Australian families delaying social media and smartphones for children, together</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.waituntil8th.org/">Wait Until 8th</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Rebecca Sparrow's FREE download "<a href="https://rebeccasparrow.com/beginner-phones/">Beginner Phones for Tweens and Teens</a>"</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Keep the conversations ongoing &mdash; not one-and-done.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Use external voices and resources to reinforce your message.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Encourage your child to research and present arguments for and against screens.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Connect with other parents to reality-check the &ldquo;everyone else has one&rdquo; claim.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Focus on understanding and buy-in, not just rules.</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

The Tween Phone Battle: Holding the Line Without Losing Connection

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/1b05038f-da6b-4747-964f-b33f00c7a892/transcript

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