Who's Right?What age should a child get a phone?
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In short
There is no magic age: it depends on the child's real needs and maturity. Many families start with a basic phone around the start of middle school and wait longer for a smartphone with internet access.
Both sides
Noah is starting middle school and will take the bus on his own for the first time. I want to be able to reach him if he misses his stop or a class ends early. Nearly all his friends already have a phone, and I don't want him to feel left out. Keeping him away from phones won't stop him discovering screens, so we might as well guide him now.
Noah is only 10, and I can see how hard it is for him to put the tablet down at weekends. A smartphone in his pocket means social media, endless videos and group chats where things can go wrong. I'd rather wait until he's more mature, around 13 or 14. As for the bus, we've always managed without.
The verdict
Karim makes a concrete point: a child who starts travelling alone has a real need to reach his parents. That is a solid argument, much stronger than "all his friends have one".
Élodie still has a slight edge, because she points to the real issue: the problem isn't the phone itself, it's unlimited internet and apps. She also bases her view on what she sees in Noah, not on a general principle. However, refusing any phone at all just as his routine changes ignores a genuine need.
Deep down, both want to protect their son. The question isn't only "at what age", but "which phone, for what, and with which rules".
The compromise
Give Noah a basic phone for calls and texts for his bus journeys from the start of middle school. Agree together on an age and conditions for moving to a smartphone, for example once he has shown he sticks to the screen rules at home.
Who do you think is right?
Pick a side.
Frequently asked questions
Should a first phone be a basic phone or a smartphone?
A basic phone is enough for calling and checking in with parents, without unlimited access to the internet and social media. It is often a good first step before a smartphone.
What should I say when my child says all their friends have one?
Take it seriously, because the fear of being left out is real. But explain that every family sets its own rules, and offer a clear timeline so they know when and how they'll get one.
What rules should come with a first phone?
The most useful ones are simple: no phone in the bedroom at night, none at the table, and usage times agreed together. Parental controls help, but they don't replace talking.
How do I know if my child is ready?
Check whether they already respect limits on the TV or tablet, whether they tell you when something bothers them, and whether they look after their things. Maturity matters more than the exact age.
My child already has a smartphone. Is it too late to set rules?
No, it's never too late. Explain why you're changing the rules, involve them in choosing the rules and follow them yourself, which is far more convincing.
Guide Family disputes: the guide
Written with the help of AI, reviewed by the Who's Right team · This is not legal advice. How Who's Right decides
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