---
title: "Managing children's expectations around smartphones"
url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/ask-dr-bettina/managing-childrens-expectations-around-smartphones'
markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/ask-dr-bettina/managing-childrens-expectations-around-smartphones.md'
date: '2026-10-14'
description: 'My son has a smartphone and has been allowed WhatsApp. He’s very responsible. Our 8-year-old daughter will expect to earn a smartphone when she’s older and have what’s app. However, she is very susceptible to being drawn into toxic relationships and has social anxiety. How do we manage this?'
taxonomy:
  category:
    - Toolkit
  tag:
    - 'Online Harm'
    - 'Home Life'
  type:
    - Video
  contributor:
    - 'Dr Bettina Hohnen'
---

# Smartphones and social media

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 ![Dr Bettina Hohnen](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/06.about-us/02.authors-and-experts/dr-bettina-hohnen/dr-bettina-hohnen.webp) Speaker
 [Dr Bettina Hohnen](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us/authors-and-experts/dr-bettina-hohnen)speaker

  Duration: 0h 10m 13s  Published: March 2024

My son has a smartphone and has been allowed WhatsApp. He’s very responsible. Our 8-year-old daughter will expect to earn a smartphone when she’s older and have what’s app. However, she is very susceptible to being drawn into toxic relationships and has social anxiety. How do we manage this?

---

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---

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