When you hand your child their first phone, are you trusting them or protecting them?

For many busy parents, giving kids a smartphone feels like a parenting milestone you’re never fully ready for. You want to build trust. You want to respect privacy. You don’t want to be “that parent.”

But today’s phones aren’t just phones. They’re constant access to social media, messaging apps, strangers, addictive algorithms, and content our kids’ developing brains aren’t prepared to handle alone. And if you’re trying to practice intentional parenting while juggling work, family life, and everything else on your plate, it’s easy to fall into a hands-off approach and hope for the best.

We did too. Until one night, everything changed.

In this episode of Parents Making Time, we share our personal parenting story about kids and cell phones, the mistake we made by leaning too heavily on trust, and why we now strongly believe that parental monitoring is a necessary part of modern parenting and digital safety. Not to spy. Not to control. But to protect, teach, and guide.

Because intentional parenting means being proactive, especially when it comes to technology.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN:

• Why trusting your kids isn’t enough when it comes to smartphones and online safety
• How phone monitoring and screen time boundaries can actually strengthen parent-child communication
• Practical, realistic ways busy parents can protect their kids’ digital lives without constant conflict
  
  
  

If you’ve ever wondered, “Should I be checking my child’s phone?,” we’re giving you our honest answer. And yes, we believe it’s a clear one.

When you finish listening, we’d love for you to connect with us on social media!

Follow us on Instagram and like our page on Facebook to keep the conversation going. It’s the best way to get quick tips, encouragement, and resources to help you make time for what matters most—your family.

Easily improve your intentional parenting efforts at mealtime with our FREE resource, Dinner Conversation Starters.

Download our FREE resource, 30-Second Micro Moments of Intention with Your Kids, created for busy parents like you who need easy, actionable ways to have daily meaningful connections with their kids in less than a minute!

Parenting Questions? Email us at parentsmakingtime@gmail.com (Please note, your question may be featured on the show).

For parenting inspiration, time management ideas, and encouragement for families, follow the hosts' individual accounts:

Anthony Craiker: Instagram | LinkedIn

Jennifer Craiker: Instagram

Interested in joining our free online parenting community? Send us a DM to receive an invite!

Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review: Apple | Spotify