(BPT) - Do you have a middle schooler begging for their first phone? It's not surprising given that 70% of kids get their first phone by age 12 .

If you're anxious about the idea of giving your child their first phone and the freedom that comes with it, you're not alone. In many ways, it may feel like you're letting them out into the digital unknown without a driver's license. However, no matter when you decide to take the plunge, you have the power to make the experience a positive one.

"A child's first phone is an important milestone for families," said Dr. Jacqueline Nesi, a psychologist who specializes in the impact of digital technology on kids' well-being. "This milestone moment calls for 'straight talk' — that is, honest, direct conversations between parents and children about t

See Full Page