Superstar Pink has won 3 Grammys, 1 people’s choice award, and 7 billboard music awards. However, one of her biggest accomplishments is motherhood. In 2006, Pink married Carey Hart. They have 2 children, 11-year-old Willow Sage and 5-year-old Jameson Moon. In February of 2022, Pink did an interview on The Today Show speaking out about technology and why she refuses to let Willow have a phone.
Pink’s Stance on Technology
Pink told Carson Daly of the TODAY Show, “There’s a light side and a shadow side to technology in general for adults, as well. For kids, I’m not there yet. I have a 10-year-old who does not have a phone, although she pointed out to me yesterday, ‘You know most of the kids in my class have a phone.’ That doesn’t move my needle. I don’t care.” Although Pink does recognize some benefit she doesn’t want Willow to have her own phone.
Pink Does See Some Benefit
Willow was in 5th grade at the time and saw her friends using phones. Pink explained that she’s not totally anti-technology, stating, “We can’t be dinosaurs ourselves as parents, we have to sort of embrace it and go with it.” Consequently, she’s partnered with a wellness app called calm. The app is designed to help users sleep better, relax, and meditate. Pink adds, “I’ve been using Calm for years and that’s how I fall asleep, so when I heard they were doing a Calm Kids, I was like, ‘I want to do that. I want to read stories to kids.”
Read: Parents Who Are Addicted to Their Cell Phones Affect Their Children’s Development – According to Scientists
Dangers of Technology
The emergence of cell phones has sparked numerous debates. There is concern around the impact these tiny computers may have on children. Many psychologists advise against screen time for younger kids, and limited time for older kids. Michael Cheng is a child and family psychiatrist at Ottawa’s Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. He explains of mobile devices and other technology, “Here at CHEO we’re seeing an explosion of children and youth who have mental health issues and when we dig deeper [and ask] why are there more kids who have mental health issues, it turns out that many of them are having these issues because they’re over-connected to technology.”
Some other possible negative effects include mental health issues. Unlimited access to dangerous or inappropriate information and with that comes possible exposure to predators or cyber bullies. Additionally, their sleep becomes disrupted, and they have trouble processing new information at school.
Read: Put Down Your Phone: Why Presence Is the Best Gift You’ll Ever Give
Benefits of Technology
On the contrary, there are some benefits to kids having cell phones. These benefits typically apply to older kids. Something to consider is practicality. You may need to keep in contact with your children but find yourself contacting teachers, coaches, or peers with phones. If this is the case, then getting a phone will make communication easier. Similarly, kids who do extracurricular activities may also need to keep in contact with teammates or coaches. Sometimes schedules or locations change and the most effective method for relaying those changes is a quick phone call.
Lastly, safety is a major benefit of having a phone. Older kids and teens have much more freedom and with that freedom comes responsibility. Therefore, you may want them to check in while they’re off with their friends. Or they may need to call for help if they’re out driving and breaking down. As a parent, if you’re feeling concerned about your child having a smartphone but want them to be safe there is another option. It is challenging to find a retailer who still sells just mobile devices, as opposed to smartphones, but not impossible.
It is unknown if Pink has since caved and gotten the phone. Maybe Willow got a phone for her 11th birthday. Either way, Pink has openly expressed feeling the pressures of motherhood. She told People Magazine, earlier this year, “I cry in my closet a lot. Here’s the problem when you don’t have boundaries in your house—I’ll go in the shower and have a full-out loud conversation with myself. I’ll turn around and Willow’s been standing there staring at me the entire time.
We really need to get more locks in this house. I try to explain to my children that me going to the bathroom is not an invitation for a family meeting. I get overwhelmed all the time.” Pink continued. “I am an extrovert. I process out loud and my daughter is an introvert, and I don’t know what she’s thinking half the time.”
Because parents are bombarded with all kinds of information, it can be scary to raise a child. However, at the end of the day all everyone wants is what’s best for their kids. There are some amazing role models, like Pink, who have a voice and the ability to see things from all perspectives. She recognizes that life is about balance. Weighing the pros and cons of any situation will allow parents to make knowledgeable decisions. Regardless of your choice about your children having a phone, the most important thing is to stay informed.
Keep Reading: Giving Your Child a Smartphone Is “Like Giving Them Drugs,” Says Top Addiction Expert
Sources
- “Here’s how much screen time kids should actually be getting.” Today’s Parent. Jill Buchner. June 1, 2017.
- “Examining the Effect of Smartphones on Child Development.” CUNE. February 28, 2020.
- “Kids using smartphones.” Psychology Today. Brian D. Johnson, Ph.D. and Laurie Berdahl, M.D. March 18, 2017.
- “Health experts applaud WHO’s stand on video game addiction.” CBC. Idil Mussa. June 20, 2018.
- “Kids and their phones: A dangerous mix.” Psychology Today. Stephanie Newman Ph.D. May 14, 2013.
- “Pink says she gets ‘overwhelmed’ by motherhood ‘all the time’.” People. Georgia Slater and Anya Leon. February 23, 2022.