Mom justifies buying her 3-year-old daughter smartphone, sparking debate

It is no secret that most kids get used to having an iPad or similar device earlier than any previous generation can imagine. It poses the question of what is an appropriate time to give a device to your kid, if at all. However, when a mom got her 3-year-old daughter her own phone, several people on the internet had opinions on the same and why the mom shouldn't have given a phone to her 3-year-old. The woman, Alanis Dyble, who goes by @alanisdyblexoxo on TikTok, took to the platform to share what she had gotten for her daughter.

"I got my 3-year-old her very own phone. Because I am that mom," the mom began. The woman gushed at how adorable the tiny phone with a purple cover looked. "It's a children's smartphone. It is absolutely adorable." She continued, "Also, inside here, you get a cute little case to go with it and a charger." It could also be worn around the neck. Dyble even switched on the phone to show people what it looked like once it was switched on. "There are all kinds of different games on here," the mom pointed out. "You've got a camera, a recorder; you can use it to take photos and videos."

She continued, "It is basically a phone, but not a phone because you can't do anything crazy on here." There was also a calculator and calendar and several things that would keep a toddler engaged. It also featured a digital pet. The phone had children's songs and the mom had planned to give it to her daughter for Christmas. However, people in the comments had mixed opinions about the gift the mom had gotten. @miscellaneously1 wrote, "The perfect gift for Lazy parents who want their kid in a corner not disturbing them." @darrell563 commented, "Who is a 3yo going to call or text? That is the next level of irresponsibility." @rachiieebabiiee remarked, "This is amazing. The only concern is the neckstring. That, to me, isn't very safe for obvious reasons but the phone itself is such a good little idea."

@just4overthinkers shared, "I don't see any harm in this because I had a tablet like that when I was younger and I always played with dolls, on my trampoline, my bikes and at the end of the day, I would either choose the tablet or tv," @terrijames135 revealed, "I gave my son my old iPhone. It has no SIM, but it has games on Disney+ on it. I love seeing the little photos he takes. He doesn’t have it very often; we only use it when we go on holiday." @robyn0415 suggested, "Everyone who is hating, just stop. Leave her alone. She OBVIOUSLY wouldn’t buy her child a phone, read the caption, or just scroll on because she’s literally not a lazy or bad parent, it’s for some fun."

In response to certain comments, the mom made another video clarifying that the phone was just a toy. "You can't make calls, you. can't access the internet." There is a camera and mainly Nursery rhymes on the phone. The phone came with an audiobook feature, a drawing pad, and a unicorn phone case and is basically a little advanced version of an old toy phone.

You can follow Alanis Dyble (@alanisdyble) on TikTok for more family-related content.