“Ten to 12 is a great range because kids are still very connected to their parents and into their parents being in their phone and in their business,” says Catherine Pearlman, a licensed clinical social worker and author of “First Phone,” a guide for kids.
Helps Keep Kids Safe
The easiest and best reason to buy a mobile phone for an 11-year-old kid is safety. Kids face many dangers these days, and having a mobile phone can help protect them. Kids should know how to use their phones in case of emergencies while they're out on their own.
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.
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.
Many kids are ready for a phone by age 13, but this decision really boils down to your child's maturity and the phone's necessity. We'll walk you through some important considerations, the range of cell phones and smartwatches designed for kids, and some tips for controlling screen time.
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.
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.
What age is TikTok recommended for? Common Sense recommends the app for age 15+ mainly due to the privacy issues and mature content. TikTok requires that users be at least 13 years old to use the basic TikTok features, although there is a way for younger kids to access the app.
What is TikTok? TikTok is a video-sharing platform where you can watch and create videos, and livestream. The app has an age-rating of 13+.
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.
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.
The average age kids get a phone is between 12 and 13. With that in mind, it's up to the parents to be the best judge of whether their child is ready for a cell phone.
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.
What is the age limit for Snapchat? The minimum age for Snapchat users is 13 years old. However, it's incredibly easy for a child to circumvent the snapchat age limit by using a fake date of birth. Snapchat doesn't have the means to verify their identity or their age, so fooling the app is a breeze.
This offers a passcode-enabled screen time management system, as well as a restricted mode to limit the appearance of inappropriate content. It's also important to remember that the app is meant for kids who are 13 or older.
Does Snapchat have a minimum age? Yes, the minimum age is 13, in compliance with the U.S. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Snapchat ask for a date of birth upon sign up, and if the birth date indicates that the user is under 13, they're not allowed to create an account. 4.
What is Snapchat's minimum age? Like many other social networks, the minimum age to use Snapchat is 13 years old.
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.
Unmanaged access to YouTube can result in videos that are definitely inappropriate for kids to watch, including content that features: Sexual content. Nudity. Profanity.
Having a phone of their own may help kids socialize and build friendships. Older kids and teens may also use their phones to plan group schoolwork and social gatherings, or even play games together. "Phones can be a tool to promote social skills, such as using them to FaceTime with friends and family," says Reena B.
Rated R for violence, bloody images, language and some drug use.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children between the ages of 8-10 should not spend more than 1-2 hours per day on screens, including cell phones.