What Age Did Your Kids Get a Phone?

My daughter had her first phone when she was 9 years old it was a crap one but it was a test to see if she'd look after it and she did so we got her a better one for her birthday

My kids are some years off currently, so I'm interested in what people say. It's a tricky issue to navigate - too early can be risky but too late and they could be left out socially

Mine were grown adults when kids having phones became the norm. I am so glad I didn't have to go through the strife today's parents seem to have with them.

Mine had one at 10. Literally just as they left primary school. No access to things like Snapchat. We monitor phones.

9 year old for my youngest, no credit on the sim card though until she's at least 13 when she'll need it, only allowed messenger & WhatsApp + roblox , social media for her age is banned, not easy though ,but neither is life lol

My daughter got her first mobile phone in her early teens. which was over a decade ago. I think that if they ban the sale of smartphone to under 16s it will only serve to make them more naughty/desirable. Not many young people get through their teens without trying all and sunder on the banned list such as alcohol or vapes so I do not see how banning phones will prevent the teens from using them.

I got my first phone at 10 but it was an older Nokia phone. No internet, no WiFi, deffo no social media on the phone this was way before Facebook and Instagram. I only had my mum and dad's number in my phone. I was o my allowed to use it in case of an emergency

When I was growing up we didn’t have mobile phones and somehow survived. It is more what children expect these days. I can not see a need until they start secondary school for safety reasons mainly.

Primary school aged children don't need phones.

My daughter won’t be having a phone until she starts secondary school. With only a select few contacts in case of emergency.

My son is only 5 so a little while to wait. I was 12 when I got mine but they were basic, the most exciting thing you could do was play snake and Bluetooth each other ringtones. I will probably get him one when he starts secondary school but I will be limiting the social media and ads that he can use. They are such a big distraction in lessons.

Once they are old enough to go out further than the street you live in phones are great for keeping in contact. The real issue is what phone they have, an old one is best for younger kids, doesn't draw attention. Parents know best, just tell them you want full access anytime you choose.

can give mobile to kids at any age but they should know the usuage of it ...because at present for kids the mobile is one of their toy ...but for me mobile is the thing which i get by great struggle with my parents thoughts ...so can give at any age but should also teach its value and usuage

I think when they start high school is about the right age. Any younger than 13 is pretty irresponsible as a parent imho. Too many kids are total screen addicts these days and it’s all thanks to poor parenting.

Both my sons got one in their last year of primary school when they started walking to /from school alone. Just a basic one that year & both got new upgraded ones once in high school.

My eldest son was 11 and my youngest was 10 when they got their first phones but they were both very intelligent and loved everything pertaining computer like

yes phones for contact. No social media bullying bragging bullying **** until 16 yes. internet from a child friendly search engine until 16. Sorted

My son was 17, but never really went out so didn't need one. It was only when he was going to college that he needed it. To be fair it was more for our benefit than for his!

I have agreed with the government on previous years but this is ridiculous.....my twins (14) have there own bank account using mobile to access and control their finances for the month then you tube or use search engine to help study for exams if no mobiles who will pay for laptops or books they need to study with libraries almost a thing of the past I can not see any parent agreeing with this and as a law abiding citizen I can honestly say I will be breaking the law

I had one when I was very young. Don't have kids myself but my little bro (he's 16) has been asked numerous times if he wants one and always says no

I don’t know why the government suggests this sort of thing, how exactly would they enforce this? In most cases it would be the parents that are buying their phone for their child anyway.

I don’t have kids but i remember i was the last of my friendship group to get a mobile phone and i got it on my 13th birthday i think. It wasn’t so bad then cause when i was meeting my friends i could use pay phones but nowadays there isn’t many about.

Both of mine got their first phone for their 11th birthday ahead of starting secondary school. They both didn't require one any earlier than that.

My son was 11, just started at secondary school. We lived 6 miles away and he got the school bus, it was used just incase he needed us to collect or drop off if bus didn’t turn up. He had an old phone of ours when we upgraded handsets. Still has an old phone of mine and he is 19 now.