There's no single "right" age for a phone; it depends on a child's maturity, responsibility, and family needs, but many get their first phone between 10 and 13 (around middle school), often starting with basic features or smartwatches before a full smartphone, while some wait until high school or even later. Factors like independent travel (e.g., taking public transport) often prompt earlier adoption for safety, while concerns about social media and online risks might lead parents to delay.
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.
Many children are ready for a phone at an average age of 12 or 13, but there's no hard and fast rule.
Half of children have their own device by the age of 12. If you set some rules, manage access and stay involved, children of all ages can enjoy the benefits of being online. It's a good idea to supervise their online activity, at least initially and certainly with younger children.
For many parents, the decision to give their child their first phone comes down to fostering independence while ensuring they remain protected. When considering a cell phone for your child, a few reasons stand out. Beyond the obvious aspect of safety, there's the educational value that technology can bring, too.
The truth is, there is no set age on when a child should get their first phone. Despite most young people in Australia receiving their first smartphone between the ages of 12 to 13, it all boils down to maturity and needs.
This isn't an anti-tech revolution—it's a pro-balance one. Gen Z in 2025 is choosing fewer notifications, less noise, and more freedom. Whether it's for mental health, privacy, or simply peace of mind, dumbphones are making a comeback—and TTfone is leading the way.
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.
10 Disadvantages of Mobile Phones
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.
In another survey of 765 teens and young adults, participants recommended that children receive their first phone between 12 and 13 years of age, when it becomes a necessity for independence from parents.
Advice for parents of children under 10 years old
Enable access to devices with limited features - Device usage at this age is best kept to devices with limited capability. This could include tablets without data and non-smart phones that only allow calls and texts.
Kids as young as 10 or 11 probably shouldn't have boyfriends or girlfriends just yet, per Psychology Today. The outlet reported that parents should encourage healthy friendships with other kids without making it romantic. At least, until the kids are more mature, which comes with age for many.
TikTok is available for people 13 years and older (or other ages as indicated in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service).
It's normal for children to experience their first crush as early as elementary school. Encourage your child to express their feelings about their crushes in a safe and supportive environment. Teach your child to respect boundaries and understand mutual feelings.
The return of 'dumbphones' – a smart choice for many
Dumbphones are basic phones with limited internet access, so they can still browse the web and access messaging apps like WhatsApp, but you can't get social media apps. This helps minimise distractions and keeps kids safer online.
A recent study found that a 72-hour phone break can reset brain activity tied to dopamine and serotonin, which are key to focus, motivation, and mood. But you don't need to unplug for three full days. Even one hour a day without your phone can help your brain reset. No scrolling.
There's a sad coda to this story. Teen happiness fell precipitously during the COVID years – only 11.4% of high school seniors described themselves as “very happy” in 2021. Coming out of the pandemic in 2023, that increased to 12.7%.
loudly crying face emoji 😭
For Gen Z, this emoji is more exclusively used to indicate positive feelings, like when something is so funny, cute, or sweet that it's totally overwhelming. Example: “Look at my puppy wearing his new Halloween costume. 😭”
Internet addiction can cause ADHD like symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have ADHD or are just addicted to the internet is to stop for a while and see if you feel better or the same.
Here's a look at some of the trending substances being abused by Gen Z today:
91% of Australian teens have a phone – but many are not keeping their identity and location secure.
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.