BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Technology Reporter
Franklin Goins is 11 years old. Like all of his friends, he wanted a smartphone, almost demanded it. But even though he’s a good kid, his parents were hesitant.
“I would say all of my friends have one, and they sometimes all go bike riding and hanging out and I’m not allowed to go to another neighborhood,” said Franklin. “But I could with a phone because they could text me.”
His mom Rachel says she felt the pressure, from Franklin and others. She wanted him to have
freedom, but wants to keep him safe.
“There are times he’s watching something that’s appropriate, but it’s two clicks, two recommendations to something that’s not appropriate at all,” says Rachel Goins.
They tried a flip phone but other kids teased him about it. So they settled