Perspectives on Smartphone Ownership and Use by Early Adolescents

Increasing numbers of youth are becoming smartphone owners as early adolescents (EAs). Understanding how EAs receive and use their initial smartphones is important towards informing provider counseling and parental guidance. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand EA perspectives and experiences with smartphone ownership.

Focus groups were conducted with EAs ages 10-14years in Washington State. We utilized purposeful sampling to represent different communities and health status. During focus groups, trained facilitators used a semi-structured facilitator guide to prompt discussion about EAs' smartphone ownership and use.

A total of 45 EAs with average age 11.2 (SD=0.77), 51.1% female, 64.4% white and 20% rural, participated in 12 focus groups. Of 3 major themes, the first was Maturity, which included EAs' views that they should achieve milestones rather than an age for smartphone ownership. The second theme was Deference to Parents, which included EAs' interest in engaging with parents to establish rules for smartphone use. The final theme was Accountability, as EAs described the importance of responsibility and cost-sharing. Two minor themes arose which included the role of EAs asking for phones and the individuality of phone use.

Early adolescents supported timing of a first smartphone tied to meaningful milestones, and wanted parent engagement in developing rules to support them in initial smartphone ownership. Findings can be used to empower parent involvement in EA smartphone use to promote safe and productive behavior.