Many children are ready for a phone at an average age of 12 or 13, but there's no hard and fast rule. Here are some signs they may be ready for their first phone.
What is the ideal age for a first phone? Your children could be ready for a smartphone or similar device anywhere from 10 to 14, or during middle school. A sixth-grader (typically 10 to 11 years old) could be a good start for considering a phone or a wearable.
Max Stossel, the founder and CEO of Social Awakening, a group that promotes healthy use of technology and social media, recommends that parents hold the line on giving kids smartphones until at least eighth grade.
Not sure if an Apple or Android phone is right for them? The Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is a perfect starter device for 11 year olds who are ready to venture into the world of smartphones. Not only does this phone offer the freedom and flexibility that your child will need, but it's incredibly affordable.
Ages 10 to 12 Cheng says parents should place strict limits on phone usage at this age and not give children Internet-enabled mobile devices. “Kids should only be allowed to use phones to call their parents,” he says.
Your 8-year-old now
Most developmental experts agree that the longer you can hold off on a phone for a child, the better. There's also the question of whether certain items are best delayed as privileges of age. If your child gets everything from the start, what is there to look forward to?
How safe is TikTok? Using any social network can be risky, but it's possible for kids to safely use the app with adult supervision (and a private account). TikTok has different rules for different ages: Users under age 13 can't post videos or comment, and content is curated for a younger audience.
Ages 12 to 14
At this age, most adolescents have developed vital skills, such as problem-solving, impulse control, and critical thinking. In addition, 73% of parents in the U.S. think it is acceptable for children above the age of 12 years to own a smartphone (Pew Research Center, 2020).
An iPhone is an especially good choice for a child if the rest of the family also uses Apple phones and devices. It's easy for the child to learn to use an operating system that the rest of the family uses as well, and using it is safe because parents can easily keep track of what their child is doing on their phone.
The right age to give kids their first cellphone is really up to you. Age isn't as important as your kid's maturity level, ability to follow rules at home and school, and sense of responsibility as well as your own family's needs.
KH: When it comes to whether a child is ready to have a boyfriend or girlfriend, parents should consider their child's maturity rather than a particular age. Typically, it's best for children under 13 not to engage in romantic relationships as they are still developing emotionally and cognitively.
The experience of having a crush can begin as early as preschool, and crushes can continue to occur throughout one's life.
You have to enter your birth date to set up an account, but there's no age verification, so it's easy for kids under 13 to sign up. Common Sense Media rates Snapchat OK for teens 16 and up, mainly because of the exposure to age-inappropriate content and the marketing ploys, such as quizzes, that collect data.
Parents should wait until preschool to introduce their children to smart devices like smartphones and tablets, and even then should limit the use to less than an hour a day in the same room as the parent.
iPhones offer some built-in parental controls that prevent your child from accessing adult content, buying or downloading apps, and spending too much time glued to their phones. It's a free but basic way to protect your child online.
Kids between 8 and 12 are called “tweens” because they are in between children and teenagers. It's very normal for kids this age to start to move from being very close to parents to wanting to be more independent.
If you really want to have the broadest range of tools to protect your children, you absolutely should get them an Android device over an Apple device. As they prove themselves trustworthy on the Android, you can then graduate them to an Apple device as they get older.
In Australia, the average age a child acquires a mobile phone is 13.1 years.
The minimum age for a TikTok user is 13 years old. While this is great news for younger users, it's important to note that TikTok doesn't use any age verification tools when new users sign up.
Recommended time limits
Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends. 2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling. 5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework.
What is Snapchat's minimum age? Like many other social networks, the minimum age to use Snapchat is 13 years old.
How old should kids be to use Instagram? According to the terms of service, you have to be 13, but there's no age-verification process, so it's very easy for kids under 13 to sign up. Common Sense rates Instagram for age 15 and up because of mature content, access to strangers, marketing ploys, and data collection.
1 ENABLE device-level parental controls
TikTok states that the app is intended for users aged 13 years and over and has a 12+ App Store rating.