When Should Your Child Get a Cell Phone? Questions to Ask First

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It seems like kids get phones younger every year, and “Everyone else has one!” is a hard argument to hear. When my girls were younger, I wasn’t comfortable giving them phones yet, and we decided to wait. There’s no perfect age; it really depends on your child and your family. These questions can help you decide.

Questions to ask yourself

1. Why do they need it? Getting home from activities, walking to school, or staying in touch between two homes are real reasons. “Everyone has one” isn’t.
2. Are they responsible? Do they keep track of their things, follow screen-time rules and get homework done?
3. Do they understand the cost? Talk about data, apps and replacing a lost or broken phone.
4. Are they ready for the internet? A smartphone opens the door to social media, group chats and strangers. Are they ready to handle that, and to come to you when something goes wrong?

Start small

• A basic phone or smartwatch lets kids call and text without apps or internet.
• A family phone that stays home can be used for calls to friends.
• If you choose a smartphone, set up parental controls, approve app downloads and turn on location sharing.

Family phone rules

• Phones charge overnight outside bedrooms.
• No phones at the dinner table.
• Parents know the passwords.
• Wait on social media; most platforms require users to be at least 13.
• Talk often about kindness, privacy and what to do if they see something upsetting.
• Write a simple family phone agreement together.

FAQ

What’s a good age for a first phone?

There’s no single answer. Many families start with a basic phone in middle school and wait longer for a smartphone.

Should my child have social media?

Most platforms require users to be 13. Many experts suggest waiting even longer and starting slowly.

How do I set up parental controls?

Both iPhone and Android have built-in parental controls for screen time, apps and content.

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