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For back to school, can kids have too much tech? (Open_Tab Ep. 13)

With gadgets and social media everywhere, what's the right age for a child to use a phone and other tech? Tell us what you think.

Mike Sorrentino Senior Editor
Mike Sorrentino is a Senior Editor for Mobile, covering phones, texting apps and smartwatches -- obsessing about how we can make the most of them. Mike also keeps an eye out on the movie and toy industry, and outside of work enjoys biking and pizza making.
Expertise Phones, texting apps, iOS, Android, smartwatches, fitness trackers, mobile accessories, gaming phones, budget phones, toys, Star Wars, Marvel, Power Rangers, DC, mobile accessibility, iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal, RCS
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Joseph Kaminski Senior Associate Technology Editor / Reviews
During my almost twenty years at CNET, I handled benchmark testing/methodologies for both Mac and PC systems and, sometime after, integrated testing for micro-mobility (e-bikes, electric scooters and EUCs), which is a passion of mine. Transitioning from a BMX background to this field was seamless. Despite testing numerous products, each new one brings the same excitement as my first.
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Jeff Bakalar Editor at Large
Jeff is CNET Editor at Large and a host for CNET video. He's regularly featured on CBS and CBSN. He founded the site's longest-running podcast, The 404 Show, which ran for 10 years. He's currently featured on Giant Bomb's Giant Beastcast podcast and has an unhealthy obsession with ice hockey and pinball.
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Bryan VanGelder Former video producer
Bryan VanGelder was a technical producer for CNET. He's a metal-head, an A/V geek and a radio nut, and he spends too much money on comic books.
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Bridget Carey Principal Video Producer
Bridget Carey is an award-winning reporter who helps you level-up your life -- while having a good time geeking out. Her exclusive CNET videos get you behind the scenes as she covers new trends, experiences and quirky gadgets. Her weekly video show, "One More Thing," explores what's new in the world of Apple and what's to come. She started as a reporter at The Miami Herald with syndicated newspaper columns for product reviews and social media advice. Now she's a mom who also stays on top of toy industry trends and robots. (Kids love robots.)
Expertise Consumer technology, Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, social media, mobile, robots, future tech, immersive technology, toys, culture Credentials
  • Bridget has spent over 18 years as a consumer tech reporter, hosting daily tech news shows and writing syndicated newspaper columns. She's often a guest on national radio and television stations, including ABC, CBS, CNBC and NBC.
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Mike Sorrentino , 
Joseph Kaminski , 
Jeff Bakalar , 
Bryan VanGelder , 
Bridget Carey

Kids now live in a world where nearly everyone has a phone, and a seemingly infinite number of social networks to boot. But when is it OK for them to jump into today's tech-filled world?

Bridget Carey returns to CNET from maternity leave and joins Jeff Bakalar along with Joseph Kaminski to talk about the role technology plays with their kids, and how old children should be before they start using gadgets and dabbling with Snapchat.

When do you think kids should start getting into tech? And when is the right age for children to start using social media? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

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How old should school-age kids start getting comfortable with gadgets? Tell us what you think.

 Nicole Cozma/CNET

And after the back to school conversation, we'll celebrate the end of summer with a robot that's ready to help you get your beer pong on.

Want to join our next live Open_Tab show? Head on over to CNET's Livestream or YouTube pages Fridays at 3:30 p.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. PT and 8:30 p.m. UK and be a part of the show. We take your questions and comments from tweets with #OpenTab, posts on CNET's Facebook page or emails you can send to us at opentab@cnet.com. Please note that we are taking Friday, September 9th off while we cover both the Apple and PlayStation events this week, so our next live show is coming to you on September 16.