What Age Should a Child Get a Phone?

Sooner or later, most parents hear it: “Everyone in my class has a phone.” Deciding when to hand over a first phone is one of the biggest parenting calls of the school years. There’s no magic age, but there are good questions to ask, safer first steps than a full smartphone and rules that make the transition much smoother.

Why there’s no perfect age

Kids differ enormously in maturity, independence and need. A 10-year-old who walks to school alone may need a way to call home; a 13-year-old who’s always with an adult may not. Many families in the US give a first phone somewhere around the end of elementary school or in middle school, but “everyone has one” is rarely the whole truth, and it’s not a reason on its own.

The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages families to think about readiness and to agree on a plan, rather than follow a fixed age. The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory on social media and youth mental health also urged parents to be thoughtful about when and how children use social platforms.

Signs your child may be ready

• A real need: getting to and from school, activities or a parent’s house independently.
• Responsibility: they look after belongings, follow screen time limits and tell the truth about what they do online.
• Self-control: they can stop when time’s up without a major battle.
• Openness: they come to you when something online upsets them.
• Awareness: they understand that messages and photos can be shared, screenshotted and kept.

If most of these aren’t there yet, it may be worth waiting, or starting smaller.

Stepping stones before a smartphone

Basic phones have made a comeback with families who want connection without the endless scroll; Digitalaa’s guide to whether a basic dumbphone is worth it weighs the pros and cons. Some parent groups, such as the Wait Until 8th pledge, encourage families at the same school to delay smartphones together, which removes the “only kid without one” problem.

Social media is a separate decision

A phone doesn’t have to come with social media. Most major platforms require users to be at least 13, in line with US children’s privacy law, and many experts suggest waiting longer. Some countries are going further: Australia, for example, now requires major social media platforms to take reasonable steps to keep under-16s off their services. Decide separately which apps are allowed and when, and see our guide to online safety for kids.

Set it up before you hand it over

• Parental controls. Use the built-in tools, such as Apple’s Screen Time with Family Sharing or Google Family Link, to approve downloads, set time limits and filter content.
• App approval. Require permission for every new app.
• Privacy settings. Turn off location sharing in apps, set accounts to private and limit who can contact your child.
• Downtime. Schedule phone-free hours overnight and during homework.
• Contacts. For younger kids, limit calls and messages to approved contacts.

Controls are a safety net, not a replacement for conversations. Kids often find workarounds, so check in regularly.

Write a family phone agreement

Agree on the rules together, write them down and review them every few months. Include:

• Where the phone sleeps: charging outside the bedroom overnight protects sleep; see our bedtime routine guide.
• Phone-free times: meals, homework and family time.
• Daily limits for games and video, tied to our screen time by age guidance.
• What’s private and what isn’t: agree that you may check the phone, especially at first.
• Kindness online: no unkind messages, no sharing other people’s photos without permission.
• What to do if something goes wrong: tell a parent, and they won’t lose the phone for being honest.
• Consequences for breaking the rules, agreed in advance.

The AAP’s free Family Media Plan tool helps you build an agreement for the whole family.

Model the behavior you want

Kids notice when adults scroll at dinner or check phones while driving. Putting your own phone away at meals and bedtime makes the rules feel fair, and it’s good for you too.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average age kids get a phone?

It varies widely, but many US children get a first phone around ages 10 to 12. What matters more is your child’s maturity and need.

Should my child have a smartphone or a basic phone first?

A basic phone or calling watch is a good first step for many kids, giving contact without apps and browsing. Move to a smartphone when they’re ready.

Should I read my child’s texts?

For younger kids with a first phone, many parents check regularly and say so openly. As children grow, shift toward trust and conversation while keeping safety rules in place.