What age should kids get smartphones? Parenting Tips

One of the most asked questions I get from parents is at what age should my kids get smartphones? I do think that we have to look at both what age and also their maturity level. The truth is our kids will all get a phone... the question is when will this be.

Another study (Kaiser Foundation) says:
Most teens -- 85% of those aged 14 to 17 -- have cell phones. So do 69% of 11-14-year-olds and 31% of kids aged 8-10, according to a 2010 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

These days, the average age when kids get their first smartphones is around 10 years old, according to Calgary-based parenting expert Judy Arnall, author of Parenting with Patience. But exposure to mobile devices often begins at a much younger age: It's becoming increasingly common to see toddlers wielding smartphones in strollers and preschoolers zoned out in front of iPads at restaurants.

1. All of our kids will get a phone at some point. As a parent, I would let this be known in all conversations with kids about when they will get a phone. Stop saying even jokingly that your kids will never get a phone. They all will at some point.
2. Tablets are basically phones. There is this large disconnect I hear from parents who say their kids will never get a phone but they have an iPad. It is the same. The only difference is the ability to call someone (which by the way students will rarely ever do).
3. I think that when we hear statistics of kids below Grade 6 getting smartphones we are dealing with fear-based parenting. They say a statement like "What if I need to get hold of them?" There is no need to get hold of them. You can call the school if you need to. If you really want to be able to call your kid then get them the cheapest flip -phone or a phone that has no internet and just phone capabilities. There is no need for a kid in grade 4 to have a fully functioning smartphone.
4. Are they mature enough to have a smartphone? Seriously smartphones have access to everything in the world. All apps, social media, sexting abilities (sending naked photos), viewing pornography, ability to bully and be bullied. If you are going to get your kids a smartphone there is a ton of teaching around these conversations. We usually call this digital citizenship. Common Sense Media have some good online lessons on this. I will put the link in the description.
5. Sleep issues. Starting up late on their phones. No phones in bedrooms or turn off the internet at a certain time.
6. Texting and driving - need to talk about this when your kids start to drive. You can turn on "Do not disturb while driving" in the settings on an iPhone. This is good for all of us.
7. This is the new coming up age ritual. It is a big deal for kids. We might not think it is important for kids to have a phone but they might feel differently.
8. We need to realize as adults that kids communicate digitally today more than face to face. If your kid does not have a phone at a certain age they will be left out of conversations.
9. When your kids say in Grade 8 that they are the only ones in their class without a cell phone. They might be right. Or one of just a few kids who do not.

In our house we were a little earlier than that, My daughter bought (by herself) her first cell phone in the last few months of Grade 8. My son was a similar (grade 8 - beginning of the year).
I would say somewhere around Grade 8 to me kids are old enough to take personal responsibility for having a smartphone.

📖 Links to my book Parenting: Navigating Everything

📖 My Amazon Storefront with links to all the books I suggest on each of the topics I speak on.

📱 Suggested Video Series (9 videos) - How to Have a Better Relationship with your phone

ℹ️ Where to find me on Social Media:

DISCLAIMER: This video and/or description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!

#NavigatingEverything
#ParentingTips

[BrettUllman]

love to hear your thoughts on this. When did you get a smartphone for your kids?

[emmanuelarzate]

It is pretty obvious most kids are watching this.

[easy.editsspamz_]

Most kids are here trying to figure out how to convince their parents to get them a phone.

[GoDawgs]

As a teen who went 16 years without a phone, I will get my kids a phone by 6th grade so they don’t have to experience what I went through with not being able to talk to friends and getting embarrassed when you must do a phone activity for your class and you’re one of the only kids in the whole high school without a phone

[xxz]

My high school literally expects you to have a phone 😂

[riflesmixup]

Please make a video on how to change the old mindset of parents . PLEASE!!

[akashbera]

I completed my grade 10 and I still don't have a

[numptyie]

Parents: oh wow how helpful? 😁
Kids watching: 😲

[oster_eri]

My 8 yr old neighbor: ** has a phone **
Me in 8th grade without one: :P

[fp]

Some kid in my class said his parents won’t let him get a phone till grade 10. I feel sad for him.
Got my first phone when I was 12.

[duanebaltus]

Im 11 and watched this out of curiosity. I dont have any tech (im using my dads phone) and honestly i dont think banning you kid from tech solves anything. They just steal your phone fo use it. I say give your kid a phone with a 2 hour limit on it or somthing like that.

[cakethings]

I’m 11 almost 12 and I’m getting my phone on Christmas because my parents think I need it to be able to contact them when no one else is with me. I don’t need a phone I like iPads better but all my friends got phones in like 3rd grade

[gagangautam]

I am 17 yrs old and completed my 12 grade this year but I don't have my own smartphone or a number.

[kazitania]

I love this guy he actually read my brain I am the only one in grade 8 without a cell phone and I can't communicate with anyone and when I ask my parents to get me a phone there answer is Strange they say I don't know and also say ur sister first but she already have a phone😥😢😪

[quit]

Me: finally getting a phone this year
Me: searches which phone bc im so excited
Me: finds samsung A51
Me:perfect

[angle-oigj]

I think you should get a phone at 14+.
If you’re responsible then you can get a phone earlier though.

[ButteredToast]

My first “phone” (not really) I got it when I was about ten and it worked for about four months and I was charging it and it never turned back on
Edit: I am watching this at like 9:00 p.m. don’t tell my parents lol

[a.t.]

Me and my friend are the only ones in my class that doesn’t have a phone I’m going into 6th grade....

[saritapatil]

I will get a phone when I am 17 and I am 10 now everyone is so lucky but it is better not to have a phone at a small age so it very much òķ.

[pbugo]

My parents gave me my first phone in 7th grade & it was a flip. I didn't bother with social media much because I wasn't brought up to care about it(which I'm grateful for). I mainly just used it for calling friends & making plans for the weekends! 🤷‍♀️
I was also a pretty good kid, so my parents trusted me. I think it should come down to the individual. Some kids do some incredibly stupid shit & have no business with that much access to a phone/social media. One of my best friends growing up was an example of that. So my answer is, it really depends on the individual.