The problem most parents face today is that most kids already own electronic devices, so the peer pressure on those who don’t is unbearable. Deciding when to give a child a mobile phone or a tablet PC is an individual family choice that depends on a lot of variables.

Before you decide to give in to your child’s whims or choose to keep her gadget-free for a few more years, here are some things to think about.

(First published as “Tiny Techie” in the “Good Family” section of Good Housekeeping Philippines’ March 2009 issue. Adapted for use in Female Network. Photo by Brad Flickinger via Flickr Creative Commons.)