What would be a good age for a kid to have a smartphone?

[cesarmatute]

I have a 3 and 5 years older kids, and I know that in the future they will ask for a smartphone. With all the bad things you see on the Internet, that kind of worry me a little.

I saw on other threads that there are apps to control what your kids can and cannot do with their smartphones, which I didn't even know existed, and that relieves me, but kids nowadays are very smart and can bypass those controls.

What do you consider is a good age for a kid to have a smartphone?

 

[JoeMilford]

A lot of my friends have suggested the age of thirteen--this seems to be a bit arbitrary, but maybe it is just a community thing with us. In any case, the age at which the child is discernibly smart and disciplined regarding social media, and not one day before that. If a child exhibits any unsafe or irresponsible behavior with social media on the home computer or elsewhere, and if the child has a trouble with open-ness and honesty with parents, peers, and mentors, then he or she is not ready for the responsibility of a Smartphone in my humble opinion.

 

[Rob Whisonant]

I would not base that decision on age. I would base it on the maturity of the child. (or adult)...

 

[blessing02]

Its hard to ascertain the right age for children to own a smartphone, the reason is that, it is had to measure a child's mind at that age, I would only recommend that parents or guardians should first consider the maturity of mind of the child and then determine if yes or not a hold should own a smartphone.
In another view however, at age 14 it is assumed that a child is reasonable to know what is right or wrong. So I would suggest age 14.

 

[cesarmatute]

I guess even with all the available apps, it's not that easy to control. The most important would be the maturity as Rob says. The only thing I could do then would be to teach him well, to avoid bad things, but i'm getting an idea that would be when they become teenagers.

 

[LinkHeros]

It's really hard these days with kids and technology. When my Daughter was 9, everyone in her class at school had a smartphone. I didn't want her getting one until she was older, but at the same time didn't want her to be left out. We got her one for her 10th birthday, but she is not allowed social media until she is older.

 

[cesarmatute]

cesarmatute

Exactly. The problem is not the smartphone "per se", but the social media. My sons could have a smartphone to stay in touch, or to play games, but social media is what worries me the most.

 

[neftaliaiah]

I have a 2 year old daughter and sometimes I let her use my smartphone when she wants to watch nursery rhyme. So
I guess it is up to us how we let them use smartphones, just ask questions to yourself like. how she gonna use it, what she'll do using it, why she'll use it.. etc. I hope that I helped

 

[grchl0513]

For me, the good age that a kid to have a smartphone is around 12 or 13 years old. During there teen years, kids always leave house, go to school and we need to contact them if where they are or how they're doing for us to be at ease and most especially we need to communicate to them if some thing happens such as an emergency or they need to advise us if they're going home late or if they need to be fetch.

 

[gelotologist]

Its probably on the age of 13 or 15, its where the age of maturity where they can take smartphone now.Having no smartphone on the age of 13 or 15 would them more curios of why they don't have those, are they too young?. On the other hand them having it can be good, examples are when you're having emergencies your mom can just call you right away.

 

[Melissa16]

In my own opinion, 12 years old is the ideal age for kids to have a smartphone but still with the guidance of the parents.
We should teach our children not to use mobile devices too much. However, there are pros and cons that we, parents, should
consider. With the devices, our children gain wider knowledge and information. On the other hand, smartphone can be addictive
distraction that detract from school work while exposing the children to different issues like cyber bullying, child fiddlers, and
pornography.

Excessive use of mobile device can be bad for physical, emotional, and mental health of the children.

Moderation in all things. It means that, whatever you do, be moderate, not extreme.

 

[Krisha]

I think you should give your kid a smartphone that does not have any apps or can't access the web if you want to secure them from stuff that kids should not see yet. You don't really have to give your kid an iphone or an android phone. I think it depends on what's the use of having a smartphone. If it's just for communicating, then give them a smartphone that does not have access to the internet.

 

[Ellyza de gala]

It is hard to identify some parents allow their children at the early age like 10-12 y/o. Some let them when they are in high school. I think it would be best if they can use smartphones at around 14-16 y/o and of course with proper guidance of their parents.

 

[DesmondHayes]

My son for the ninth birthday (recently) got a mob. For now, he works with him from home and around the house, he does not wear it in school. The school has a phone card and a booth within the school.

We work on SMS-based, in style: I woke up, I wrote a task, I went to computer science, I came from computer science, I went to school, I did not come here and I did not have English ....., the schedule changed and you were more I went home, I was hungry like a dog.

As it is now, when there is no more living space, all day long (I work to 5, home about 5.20), I am delighted with the way I / He are using/communicating with the cell phone.

 

[refrigeratorrr]

Smart phone nowadays can help us in everything but it also have many negative effects that can change who we are as a person. So considering that bad effects it is better for children to have their first smartphone on the age of thirteen because in that age they are well matured and can think on their own and they have their own beliefs which means they cannot be fooled because they have their own way of thinking.

 

[botonchin]

Smartphones, in general, are the main tool for communication nowadays so i think children should be allowed to own one when you've observed that they already know how to use it for texting and calling. I think the earlier they start at adjusting to the techno age the better.

 

[Jaybs101]

For me, being also a Father, I have these mindset that no matter what we do the technology nowadays are becoming more and more assimilated into our lives, unless you and your family are gonna be strict about it and live off in some remote areas and mountains away from all these smartphones and gadgets,so why stop the inevitable right? for me I will agree on the maturity of the child, theres no clear way of saying what’s really a good or best age for them to have one, what I think all we can do now is just to guide them and have us always talking with them and explaining this and that about the internet. I think its important to have the sense of openness in the family, better if you and your child establish first a good solid trust and understanding environment, be his/her bestfriend and communicate, then maybe you can finally decide if you will let them have smartphones. good luck and godbless you and your family.

 

[justraf16]

For my own opinion, I think the best age that kid could have smartphone is by the age of 12-13 year old. I think this age, kids could be responsible enough to use it.

 

[hgonzales2]

I don't think Kids need to have a smart phone at an early age. If you're just worried how you can get in touch with them for example if they are at school or somewhere else you can just give them at least a basic phone (with the keypads). I know it may look out of fashion but if you just wanted to be connected with your kids that would be a good way. I believe that teenagers nowadays are more independent and curious about everything. In my opinion, you can allow your kids to use a smart phone once they reach the age of 13 but of course with limitation. Always keep an eye on how they manage to use it because sometimes we may thought that they are already sleeping at night but they're not. That's an ongoing issue we are facing right now with my niece who's 14 yrs old. My sister-in-law was having a hard time trying to guide her daughter in this puberty stage. Modern technology has a lot to offer both good and bad. It just requires proper guidance.

 

[Jash222]

As a parent myself, I am not going to get my child a smartphone unless he needs it. I will still try to apply the traditional way. Children doesn't need to have a phone if they only go to school and go home straight after, provided they have a school bus that picks them up from home and drops them to school, or better yet, parents drop them and pick them up. When they turn to secondary school, I will let them have a smartphone, provided they have to earn it and not given to them. I know people say in case of emergency they will need it, but look at our generation? We survived without it and only when we started working we get one for ourselves. No parents have given it to us.
On the other hand, I also agreed to one of the comments above, age is not the factor but the maturity of the child.

 

[Gen.fudd]

12 years old and up, I think is the most appropriate age to let your children to own a smartphone. But since we are in a modern age, maybe you can let them use your smartphone with restrictions. Proper guidance is important especially with handling this kind of gadgets. Using this may have both benificial and negative effect to them. That is why we must be always available in teaching them what is tight and wrong.