What Age Should a Child Get a Smartphone? Expert Advice and Research
Deciding when to give your child a smartphone can feel overwhelming. Parents everywhere ask the same question: What age should a child get a smartphone? The truth is, there’s no single right answer, but there is plenty of research, expert guidance, and real-world experience to help you make an informed decision.
How Many Kids Have Smartphones and at What Age They Get Them
Smartphone ownership among children is more common than ever. By age 10, about 42% of kids in the United States have their own smartphone, according to Scientific American. That number jumps to 71% by age 12 and reaches 91% by age 14.
A Stanford University study found that the average age for a first phone is 11.6 years, with most children getting one between ages 10.7 and 12.5. With numbers like these, it’s easy to see why parents feel pressure to keep up with other families.
Risks of Giving a Smartphone to a Child Too Early
Research shows there are risks to giving children a smartphone before they are developmentally ready.
A global study of over 2 million participants across 163 countries linked early smartphone use (before age 13) to increased rates of poor sleep, cyberbullying, low self-worth, and even suicidal thoughts, especially among girls.
Another Australian analysis found that adults who had received smartphones as early as age 5 or 6 showed significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts later in life compared to peers who received them at older ages. These findings suggest that when a child gets a smartphone matters as much as how they use it.
What Experts Say About the Right Age for a First Smartphone
Many thought leaders recommend delaying full smartphone access.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama, speaking alongside psychologist Jonathan Haidt, stressed the importance of parents being willing to say “no” when it comes to premature access. Both note that many young adults appreciate that their parents delayed giving them a phone or social media access.
The advocacy group Smartphone Free Childhood suggests waiting until at least age 14, citing children’s developmental vulnerabilities.
Child psychiatrist Dr. Sandra Fritsch recommends assessing how a child reacts when screens are taken away. If they have difficulty coping, she suggests starting with a basic phone or a smartwatch that allows calling and texting without internet access.
Key Factors to Decide If Your Child Is Ready for a Smartphone
Before making the decision, consider these readiness factors:
Assessing Emotional and Cognitive Maturity
Can your child handle frustration, follow rules, and understand the potential consequences of online behavior?
Identifying Real Need Versus Peer Pressure
Is the phone truly needed for safety and logistics, or is it mostly about keeping up with friends?
Setting Boundaries and Healthy Phone Habits
Establish clear rules about screen-free zones, bedtime limits, and mealtime etiquette before handing over a device.
Choosing Between a Basic Phone, Smartwatch, or Full Smartphone
Experts at TechRadar and Children’s Hospital Colorado recommend starting with limited-function devices, like call-and-text phones or GPS-enabled smartwatches, before moving to a full smartphone.
Tips for Parents Before Giving a Child Their First Phone
Have an Open Conversation about the responsibilities that come with phone ownership, including privacy, online kindness, and digital footprints.
Delay Full Access to smartphones and especially to social media until your child is at least in their early teens.
Use Parental Controls and Family Media Plans to guide safe and balanced usage.
Model Healthy Phone Use yourself. As experts from the Child Mind Institute point out, children often mimic adult tech habits.
Final Thoughts on Kids and Smartphones
There is no universal rule for the perfect age to give your child a smartphone. The best decision comes from weighing your child’s maturity, your family’s needs, and the guidance of credible research.
By delaying full smartphone access until your child is truly ready, and by setting boundaries from the start, you can help them build healthy, confident, and responsible digital habits. Whether you start with a basic phone, a smartwatch, or a full smartphone, the goal is the same: to make technology a tool for growth, not a source of harm.
