There's no single right age for a child to get an iPhone, but experts often suggest waiting until at least middle school (11-13) due to mental health risks in younger kids, while many children get them around 12-14 as they gain independence and friends get phones. Apple requires kids under 13 to use Family Sharing, managed by a parent, to create an Apple ID and access features, with parental controls essential for content and screen time management.
Most experts say it's not a good idea and there's plenty of evidence on the Internet to prove why. If he insists, then at most get a phone that only allows texting and calling. Children that young don't need to have unsupervised access to the internet, mindless games etc.
Choosing the right phone for your teenager doesn't have to be complicated. The iPhone 11 and 12 offer a great combination of durability, functionality, and safety, all without breaking the bank. They're devices that can grow with your child, from middle school into their high school years.
The iPhone 16e and standard iPhone 16 (6.1-inch display) offer a great balance between screen size and usability. The discontinued (but still available in resale) iPhone 13 mini (5.4-inch display) is another excellent option for very small hands.
Apple iPhone 12
When you're an older kid (think middle school to high school), taking photos and social media are an important part of social life and everyday phone use. We recommend looking at the iPhone 12 if you're looking for a newer phone with features like Face ID and a much-improved camera upgrade.
One child may be ready for the responsibility of owning a phone at 10, while another might not be ready until age 13 or beyond. In a recent survey, 45 percent of parents report that 12 to 14 is the right age for a smartphone, 16 percent report ages 9 to 11, and 28 percent report ages 15 to 17.
Look no further! Our collection of iPhones for kids offers a wide range of options that are both fun and safe. With features designed specifically for young users, these iPhones provide a great way for kids to stay connected, explore educational apps, and enjoy their favorite games.
Gabb devices offer the world's safest smartphone and smart watches for kids and teens. All Gabb devices are free from web browsers, open source app stores, and social media apps while allowing parents to give their child and teen appropriate tech in steps as they grow.
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.
No, the iPhone 11 isn't "too old" to buy in late 2025/early 2026 for budget-conscious users needing a reliable phone with good software support (like iOS 17/18), but newer models offer significant upgrades like OLED screens, 5G, and better cameras, making the iPhone 12 or 13 a smarter long-term buy for most, while the 11 is excellent value if budget is key and you can get a good battery, notes YouTube and Swappie.
Three-finger gestures on iPhone primarily activate accessibility features like VoiceOver (for screen reading and navigation) and Zoom (magnification), allowing scrolling, zooming, and text manipulation (copy/paste/undo) with specific taps and drags, though some text actions work without VoiceOver enabled for quick editing. Common gestures include three-finger double-tap to toggle VoiceOver speech, triple-tap for the screen curtain, and pinching/spreading with three fingers for copy/paste actions, notes this YouTube video.
Roughly three-quarters of teens say it often or sometimes makes them feel happy (74%) or peaceful (72%) when they don't have their smartphone. Smaller but notable shares of teens equate not having their phone with more negative emotions.
According to Common Sense Media/Research, 43% of kids age 8 to 12 and 88% to 95% of teens up to age 18 have their own smartphone. If you are the parent of a 10-year-old, the begging may have already started. The general recommendation has been “Wait Until 8th (the end of 8th grade)”, but many kids get phones earlier.
You may want your fourth grader to have a phone to be in touch with you and their friends, but most parents don't want their late elementary or early middle school kids diving into the internet and social media apps. Whether your child is ready for a phone depends not just on their age but how mature they are.
Samsung Galaxy A Series
Any phone from Samsung's Galaxy A series makes a perfect first phone for your child. Whether it's the A12 or the A16, they're very budget-friendly and feature strong parental control apps for your peace of mind.
By using Apple's built-in controls and settings, you can turn your child's iPhone into a basic phone. Follow the steps below to see how. After you set these limits, make sure to restrict access to Settings with a passcode. Then, remember to regularly review your child's phone usage through Screen Time.
Gabb doesn't have internet browsers or social media access, providing teens with a safe next step in tech. Everything They'll Need: Gabb Phone 4 Pro delivers all the features your teen wants, with the safety you trust.
Gen Z is buying dumb phones to combat digital addiction, improve mental health, and regain focus by reducing constant notifications and social media comparison, allowing for more present, intentional tech use with simpler devices that offer calls/texts without the overwhelming features of smartphones, leading to better sleep, productivity, and less anxiety, says www.abc.net.au. This trend is a conscious move towards digital wellness, prioritizing real-world connections and reducing "compare and despair" cycles from curated online lives, The Guardian.
The Result: On an Android device, we can run child protection services that are significantly more effective, practical, and deep than what is possible on an iPhone. The proof is in the market – virtually all dedicated “safe phones” for kids available today are built on the Android platform, not iOS.
Our current Editors' Choice winners are the 11th-generation Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, due to their excellent value, respectable performance, and top-notch software; your child won't complain about using them.
On your iPhone or iPad
Prevent App Store purchases
Apple does offer parental controls and restrictions within its interface. But, these “restrictions” are far from watertight and serve as a playground for kids to work through. To truly hand a child a safe, locked-down phone requires tremendous research and effort.