What age is it ok for a kid to have a 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.

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.

Age 7 to 9 – The experts say “no phones.” Sure, you could argue that this is old enough to have a phone, but the brain is still in a serious developmental stage, and all technology has a major impact at this age.

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.

Getting a cellphone, or a smartphone, has become a milestone for many kids, Allowing them to fit in with their classmates and build trust with their parents through frequent communication. As far as safety goes, smartphones are helpful in emergencies and can even help you locate your child using the GPS function.

The average age children receive their first cell phone is 6 years old, and 53 percent of children have a cell phone by the time they turn 7, according to a survey by vouchercloud.net of nearly 2,300 parents with children between the ages of 11 and 16.

For this reason, the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) recommends keeping children below the age of two away from digital screens of any form. It is also recommended that parents limit children between the age of two to five years to less than one hour of screen time a day (CPS, 2017).

There are a few reasons why getting a phone for your child can Make life easier for everyone—and also keep them safer. It can also teach your child responsibility as they learn to care for their phone, avoid losing it, and stay within their cell phone plan’s voice, data, and texting minutes.

Set limits of the general screen time.

American Academy of Pediatrics has no specific time limitations of screen time for kids older 6. But since the negative impact of electronic screens has widely been discussed, a two-hour limit would be best for pre-teens.