My oldest got a smart watch which could make calls only to preset numbers that we added (mom, dad, grandma, aunt, and one neighbor who had a son the same age) at 9. That’s when he started getting dropped off at friends’ houses without a parent sticking around (mind you - this was just coming off COVID lockdowns, so we may have done it sooner if there was a need to). I wanted him to always be able to reach us in any situation. He’s a really responsible kid, so he got a full smartphone the summer after 5th grade (11) when he went on the class trip to Washington DC. Currently in middle school with a smartphone and no issues yet, plus it gives us something valuable to him to take away if we feel he’s letting grades slip, etc.
My second does not seem to share the same level of responsibility, so he did not get his smart watch until 10. He may not get a smartphone anytime soon. It depends on the kid.
My youngest is 8. Time will tell about how responsible he is, but Lord - this is the child that WILL need to call us. Always getting into something 🤦🏻♀️.
Your overall point is valid - the top wealth holders are screwing everyone they can, regardless of what generation they’re in. But the older generations have some insulation - they were able to establish themselves economically before the vice really gripped. However, they are also the ones that allowed this to happen & often cheered it on - by voting for leaders who would enact policies designed to benefit the elite class at the expense of everyone else. It’s not a generation war per se, but it is partially their fault & the reason boomers are known as “The Selfish Generation”. Ironic since their parents were members of “The Greatest Generation” who were willing to sacrifice everything including their lives to better the world. One would think their kids would have learned something other than “Gotta get mine” at the expense of future Americans (both economically and ecologically). So it is a LITTLE about the generation gap.