How can children handle embarrassment when parents cannot afford new smartphones? 

Parenting Perspective 

In the social landscape of modern school life, smartphones can carry a heavy weight. For a child, not having the latest model can feel like a tangible mark of inadequacy. The embarrassment they may face is real, but with steady and compassionate guidance from a parent, it can be transformed into an opportunity for resilience and a healthier perspective. 

Naming the Feeling Openly 

A child may hesitate to admit their discomfort, fearing that they will sound ungrateful. A parent can help to create a safe space for them by naming the feeling without any judgement: ‘I know it must feel difficult when your friends are showing off their new phones and you cannot do the same’. Acknowledging their hurt in this way does not trivialise it; it validates the child’s experience and opens the door for a meaningful conversation. 

Teaching Value Beyond Possessions 

A parent can explain that a person’s self-worth is not tied to their devices, but to their inner qualities, like kindness, loyalty, and hard work. When a child sees that their strength of character can win them more respect than any gadget, the feeling of embarrassment can begin to fade. Practical, real-life examples can help: ‘Remember how your friends trust you because you always keep their secrets safe that is a quality that is worth more than any phone’. 

Equipping Children with Social Strategies 

A child will often benefit from being taught some simple, go-to responses for when their peers make comments. For instance: ‘My phone works perfectly fine for me; I do not really need an upgrade right now’. Such statements help to shift the focus away from shame and towards a quiet sense of confidence. Practising these responses at home can strengthen a child’s composure when they are in public. 

Balancing Empathy with Boundaries 

It is important for a parent to avoid harsh or dismissive phrases like, ‘You should just be thankful for what you have’, as this can shut down the conversation. Instead, empathy can be paired with a clear boundary: ‘I understand that you would like a new phone, but right now, that is not something we can prioritise as a family. That does not lessen who you are in any way’. This approach balances honesty with care, helping a child to feel both respected and secure. 

Spiritual Insight 

Moments of embarrassment over material possessions can weigh heavily on a young heart. A parent can remind their child that their true dignity comes not from what they hold in their hands, but from the honour that Allah Almighty has already granted them. 

Allah Almighty states in noble Quran at Surah Al Hadeed (57), Verse 20: 

‘ Note that indeed, the life of this world is only: a drama; and amusement; and ostentatious… and the worldly life is nothing but a spectacle of delusion.‘ 

This verse helps to reveal the fleeting and temporary nature of material possessions. The newest smartphone today will be outdated tomorrow, but the approval of Allah Almighty never fades. A child who is able to grasp this profound truth can learn to place their sense of worth in that which endures, rather than in that which is merely trending. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1051, that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Riches are not from an abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind.’ 

This Hadith reframes the very idea of richness as an internal state of the heart. A parent who explains this to their child is gifting them a priceless shield: the understanding that true wealth lies in inner peace, gratitude, and contentment, not in the constant comparison of gadgets.