Parenting

What’s the best age for a child to have their first smartphone?

27 April, 2023 . 0

When it comes to introducing smart devices to your kids, a little pre-planning can go a long way to help avoid potential addiction and other problematic behaviours.

There comes a time in every modern parent’s life when they have to ask themselves when the right time is to allow their child to have a smartphone.

Of course, understanding the addictive nature of such devices means we rarely arrive at the answer lightly.

A review of 41 studies involving almost 42,000 participants around the globe suggest as many as one in four kids have problematic smartphone use.

Parents’ and carers’ hesitations are understandable.

Researchers in Israel found links between excessive smartphone use and difficulties in cognitive-emotion regulation, impulsivity, impaired cognitive function, addiction to social networking, shyness and low self-esteem in adolescents and young adults.

What is the perfect age for a first smartphone?

As to whether there is a perfect age, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says timing comes down to what’s right for each family.

“There is no such thing as a right or wrong age when it comes to giving a child a smart device,” Julie says.

“It depends on their development, maturity and a parent’s or carer’s ability to be an active participant in their child’s online lives.”

Often a major life change – starting high school and beginning to travel on public transport, for example, or the separation of parents – prompts the first-time purchase of a smart device, but whether there have been major changes in your household or not, parents should only introduce these devices with clear boundaries and instructions.

Why setting boundaries is crucial for smart devices

Quirky Kid child psychologist Dr Kimberley O’Brien sees first-hand the issues that can result from smart-device addiction in young children and teenagers.

Dr O’Brien says it’s imperative parents spend time getting to understand the parental controls and putting them in place before the device is handed over.

“This can prevent them from accessing particular sites, and you can also track how many hours they’re spending online and what they’re doing,” Dr O’Brien says.

Julie recommends setting family boundaries around the use of the device and discussing these with your child.

“The eSafety family tech agreement is a great way to formalise these discussions, giving children a very clear understanding of what is safe and appropriate for them to do online,” she says.

“We also strongly recommend you encourage device use in open areas of the family home, rather than in the bedroom or bathroom.

“This gives you the opportunity to ask questions, understand what they are doing and who they’re talking to and, crucially, observe any signs that might suggest your child is experiencing some sort of harm online.”

Why an old-school mobile phone or smartwatch is recommended

Julie says research shows many parents underestimate the prevalence of children’s negative online experiences.

“For example, almost six in 10 children have been in contact with someone they first met online but only a third of parents are aware their children have engaged in this behaviour,” Julie says.

If you are uncertain whether your child is responsible enough for a smartphone, both experts recommend either the purchase of an old-school mobile phone without internet access, or a smartwatch.

“These can be a great introduction because you can still track your child’s whereabouts and communicate with them, but they won’t have all the extras that can send them down the online rabbit hole, such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.”

Why you should be mindful of tracking your child

Dr O’Brien says there can be benefits to tracking your child as they go about their business.

“It alleviates parents’ anxiety, you can confirm that they are where they say they are and that they’re doing their homework when they say they are, but as kids mature and show they’re capable of making good decisions, you ideally would want to stop tracking their movements in a show that that’s what a respectful relationship between two responsible humans can be,” she says.

Parents should model good smart device behaviour

Finally, it’s important that parents take a look at their own smart device use – particularly in front of your child.

“Parents need to live by the same rules if they want their kids to listen, if you expect your kids to put their phone away at 7pm or only ever use it in the living room, they need to see you following the same example,” Julie says.

As always, you are your child’s strongest role model and they are always observing.

Resources for parents can be found online at easfety.gov.au

More on screen time and young people’s health:

Written by Dilvin Yasa.