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Imagine your 10-year-old lying about their age to create a social media account, connecting with a user-base within a 5-mile radius, thriving and nosediving off upvotes and downvotes, and---here's the clincher---engaging in a community with complete anonymity. 

As children across the country return to school in 2022, parents wonder what age they should give their kids a smartphone.

"When should I get my child a phone?"

Back to school shopping can be stressful. Let’s be real here. You have to get the clothes, the shoes, the pencils, the binders, and all the other items from the teachers list that comes home with you. But why do we buy these things for our kids anyway?

Teachers rely more and more on technology to support their students' growth. While smartphones offer a lot of great apps and sources of information, a typical device actively tries to divert young minds through activities like gaming and YouTube rabbit holes. 

But with Pinwheel, your child can enjoy all of the support, with none of the distractions.

With less than a year of being on the market, the public is embracing Pinwheel's concept of a smartphone designed for kids. USA Today recently featured Pinwheel in an article reviewing what parents should consider before making that important purchase.  

Moving fast while playing the long-game: Dane Witbeck has been known to enjoy speeds of up to 175 mph on a motorcycle, yet also enjoys growing bonsai trees in his free time. 

The CEO and co-founder of Pinwheel, a smartphone which is now in the hands of thousands of children, Witbeck was recently awarded the 40 under 40 award from his alma mater, Georgia Tech.  

Witbeck joins 39 others that boast achievements in areas like the nonprofit sector, state politics, agriculture and military. Georgia Tech selected each individual based on the significant contributions they made in their fields. 

"I sent 36,000 texts the first month I had a “REAL” phone"

It was the summer of 2009, I had mowed many lawns and had done odd jobs to pay for two specific things I had worked towards all summer. At the age of 14, I wanted nothing more than an excellent music collection and a cell phone with which to text and call friends.

Curious about the apps found on a Pinwheel phone? Take a look at some fun features found within Pinwheel apps below!

Starting Saturday, July 11 the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is hosting a four day event, filled with informative sessions, inspirational speeches, and current topics in school counseling.