At what age should my child get a smartphone?
School-aged children and youth
Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this question.
Experts do not agree on the optimal age for children to have a smartphone, but later is usually better because older, more mature children can learn to use a phone responsibly. The decision also depends on whether a child needs a phone for safety or medical reasons.
Want to learn more?
Visit our Resource Library for more information on assessing smartphone readiness
Updated: May 7, 2026