If you’re a parent of a middle schooler who doesn't have their own phone—you may both feel like you're alone in the world. After all, it seems like kids are getting phones earlier than ever before! The good news is—you're not alone. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 75% of parents surveyed say 12 is the absolute minimum age before they'd even consider getting their child a phone1.
The truth is, there's no magic age when it comes to buying your child their own device, since every kid and every family is different. Let's start with two simple questions2 to help gauge whether your child may be ready for a device of their own—and go from there.
- Is your child mature enough? For example, if you have a 12 year old who is very responsible, mindful and tends to follow the rules—they could probably handle a phone better than, say, a 14 year old who is a little more careless, forgetful or reckless. You know your child better than anyone! So, be sure to ask yourself this question as part of your decision-making process.
- Is your child always losing and/or breaking things? We all have that one family member who constantly loses things like toys, sneakers, backpacks, lunchboxes, calculators, musical instruments and so on. Or maybe they break their eyeglasses weekly—or haphazardly handle your phone when you let them use it. These are signs that they may not be ready to care for a device of their own.
These aren't the only two considerations, however. Even if your kid is a bit immature and does tend to lose or break things, there may other benefits to having a phone that override these issues. For example, if you feel a phone would help your child:
- Study or complete school assignments more efficiently
- Stay better connected with you
- Remain safer in emergencies
- Have more access to friends and social activities
- Learn about rules and responsibility
If you do decide it’s time to get your child their own phone, be sure to take advantage of all the free tools that can help you keep them safer. For example, T-Mobile offers parents and guardians several options, including:
Web Guard. Want to limit your child from viewing certain content online? Web Guard is a free service that you can add to select lines on your account to help restrict kids from accessing adult content when connected to our network. (Note: it doesn’t restrict content when browsing over Wi-Fi or when accessing content via an app, and it won’t block instant messaging (IM), email, and text messages.)
Kids’ Line privacy settings. This feature lets you tell us that a line on your account is for a child under the age of 16. Once activated, we won’t use data from that line for advertising, and we’ll opt the line out of receiving marketing communications from T-Mobile.
FamilyMode and Safe & Found. FamilyMode and Safe & Found are two solutions that let you manage and control kids’ online activities and screen time across your family’s compatible devices. Here are a few things you can do:
- Control when and where your family can access the internet
- Use live tracking and location history (FamilyMode 3.2 only)
- Create profiles for your family
- Set web browsing filters and manage history
- View locations and set a Safety Area that lets you know when your child arrives or leaves a specific area
- Send rewards for good behavior
If you do decide to get a cell phone for your child, there are a lot of budget-friendly options available! Here are a few we like for tweens and teens:
Nokia G310 5G. Stylish, durable and easy on the wallet, this device features a large 6.6-inch HD+ display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G mobile platform, up-to three days of battery life, a triple-rear 50MP camera with AI enhancements, solid audio and playback sound, 128GB of storage, plus it's a Nokia QuickFix phone—which makes DIY phone repairs an actual thing! It's a great option for budget-conscious parents.
REVVL 6x 5G. The big 6.52-inch HD+ display, triple camera, powerful battery and 5G capabilities make this phone a great choice for doing homework, working on school projects, or just downloading games and videos. It's got a fast, reliable processor on deck, expandable memory up to 2TB, and a 4,500mAh battery to keep your kids powered up—all at an amazing price.
TCL 30 XE 5G. This phone gives you a lot of bang for your buck, thanks to the 6.52-inch HD+ display, 5G connectivity, 64GB of expandable internal storage, 13MP AI-powered main camera, 8MP front camera and a powerful 4,500mAh battery with up to 25 hours of talk time.
TCL Flip Go. If you want your kid to stay connected but don’t want them to access online content, this phone is the perfect no-frills choice. It has 4G LTE connectivity, a 2MP video-capable camera, two colorful displays (2.8-inch internal and 1.44-inch external), dedicated shortcut keys for contacts and messages, a powerful speaker with noise cancelation and HD voice, plus it has a headphone jack with Bluetooth capabilities, as well. Of course, you could also give them your old phone and upgrade to a shiny, new device of your very own. Still not sure if you're ready to get your child a phone?
You may also be interested in:
- Stay Connected with the Whole Family
- Family Controls and Privacy
- Make Digital Parenting Control Easier with FamilyMode
- Family-Friendly Plans
Sources:
- https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens
- https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/cellphones-and-devices-a-guide-for-parents-and-caregivers
FAQs
After all, it seems like kids are getting phones earlier than ever before! The good news is—you're not alone. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 75% of parents surveyed say 12 is the absolute minimum age before they'd even consider getting their child a phone1.
What is the best age to give a Mobile phone to a child? ›
At what age should a kid get a phone? Experts suggest that you should wait to get your kid a smartphone until at least 8th grade. Along with age, a kid's social awareness, understanding of technology, and maturity should be considered.
What is the average age to give a child a cell phone? ›
According to a study conducted by Common Sense Media, nearly half of children in the US receive their first smartphone by the age of 10 years old and over 90% of children own one at the age of 14. However, this does not necessarily mean that 10 is the appropriate age for a smartphone.
Should I get my 10 year old a cell phone? ›
Many experts suggest waiting to give your kids a smart phone until they are at least 13 years old or in 8th grade. "Try not to give into the peer pressure when your child says everyone else has a phone, so I need one too," she said. Dr.
Is 9 too early for a phone? ›
Average Age for Smartphones: The average age for kids to get their own smartphones is around 11, with over half of children in the U.S. having a phone by this age.
Can I give my 12 year old a phone? ›
We recommend choosing an Android phone instead of an iPhone, since parental control apps have greater functionality on Android phones. Apple enacts strict privacy rules that hinder parental controls, but you can view a list of iOS parental controls in our setup guide.
Should a 12 year old have a boyfriend? ›
Typically, it's best for children under 13 not to engage in romantic relationships as they are still developing emotionally and cognitively. Healthy friendships are encouraged for teenagers between 13 and 15, but romantic relationships could be too much for them to handle.
What percent of 8 year olds have phones? ›
During the 2021 survey, it was found that 31 percent of responding 8-year-olds owned a smartphone, up from only 11 percent in 2015.
Is a 5 year old phone too old? ›
In general, it is quite safe to keep using your phone as long as it's receiving regular software security updates from the manufacturer. For example, Apple is still updating the security of software for iPhones that are up to eight years old.
What iPhone is best for a 13 year old? ›
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.
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 age should a kid start dating? ›
As a general guideline, Dr. Eagar advises not allowing single dating before age sixteen. “There's an enormous difference between a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old and a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old in terms of life experience,” he says.
Should a 10 year old have Snapchat? ›
Snapchat's terms of service require users to be at least 13 years old. Bypassing these restrictions can expose younger children to content and interactions they may not be ready for. Don't overlook the Snap Map feature. While it can help friends stay connected, it also raises privacy concerns.
What age is too early for a 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) is a good age to start discussing a phone or a smartwatch.
What age should a kid get a phone in 2024? ›
According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 75% of parents surveyed say 12 is the absolute minimum age before they'd even consider getting their child a phone1. The truth is, there's no magic age when it comes to buying your child their own device, since every kid and every family is different.
Is 7 too early to call? ›
Stay in the Safe Zone
As an easy boundary, it's always considerate to wait until at least 9 a.m. to start dialing up. That gives plenty of time for people to wake up, complete a morning routine, and be ready for discourse.
Should I give my 4 year old a phone? ›
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry recommends limiting daily screen time to one hour for children under six. Between this recommendation and the crucial developmental milestones children reach in their early years, kids this age may be better off without cell phones.
Can a 8 year old have a mobile phone? ›
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?
What percentage of 7 year olds have phones? ›
Nearly one quarter of five to seven-year-olds have a smartphone according to new research. The report from Ofcom (the Office of Communications) - which oversees TV, radio and internet services in the UK - also found rising numbers of young people using social media.
