Yes- it's smaller. But it's also about the same weight (maybe moreso) when empty. I'd go with the Jrs. for them. My oldest is skinny as a rail like me and looks like a turtle carrying it, but it's a backpack she can have through college and it's a lifetime warranty. It holds *way* more. Unless they need a laptop, skip the prof. slim altogether.
My youngest has the prof. slim jr., and while size-wise it works. It's still heavier and not as functional. Not an ideal backpack IMO unless again, a laptop is carried.
Good for you.
*Start of Rant*
Remember, it's not the phone that's the issue, but social media. A kid can get a phone when they're any age as long as it's just a form of communication via text or talk. There are almost no negative impacts from that. But social media is the primary reason for increased risk of metal anguish, depression, suicide and self-harm/mutilation.
Especially for girls.
Jonathan Haidt (who authored the brilliant "The Righteous Mind") is a must-listen for parents. His book he came out with last year, "The Coddling of the American Mind" is very good. But specifically the psychological studies on social media.
Knowledge Project Interview:
Podcast:
https://fs.blog/jonathan-haidt/Youtube:
Joe Rogan interview w/ him. Joe's podcasts are certainly more geared for male audiences. Rogan also curses a lot, fair warning.
If nothing else, look at these graphs on this video and watch 1:18:25 through 1:34:02.
Back when social media came out (for those who have kids around 16-24), responsible parents thought supervision (shared log-in, being friends on their acct, etc) was enough to make sure it was used appropriately. At the time, we had no data or long-term knowledge on what damage social media created on young/impressionable minds.
Now we
do have the data and it's clear: there is no excuse or reason for kids to have it. In fact, if you do, your kid has a higher chance of having a psychological disorder.
So... why do it? FOMO is a major reason, and a valid one. Exclusion can also impact emotional development negatively as well. Likely not as bad as social media can, but it is still negative.
It's got to be a joint effort and communication with other parents about creating a ban on social media until high school. If other parents band together, there won't be the FOMO involved. It should be treated like smoking; where parents all realize that, too, is a bad idea to let your middle schooler do.
The fact that those who created the technology and platforms
don't let their own kids on social media should tell you everything you need to know.
*End Rant*
Cancel the Delta Gold Biz and get the Delta Plat Biz. You can always downgrade back to the gold biz from the plat. Well... whenever you stop getting pop-ups that is. What a beating