Many parents face the question of when to give a child a cellphone. Research and child development experts often point to middle school—around age 12 or 13—as a time when children begin to manage friendships and take part in after-school activities, which can create a practical need for a phone.
Some families choose a home landline instead of a smartphone. Landlines encourage spoken conversation and active listening because they do not offer social media, apps, or texting. Placing a shared phone outside a child’s bedroom can help set clear boundaries between school, social life, and family time.
Experts warn that excessive screen time is linked to anxiety, depression, poor sleep, low self-esteem and shorter attention spans. They caution against forbidding technology entirely and recommend open conversation, guided use and setting clear rules rather than strict bans.
Before giving a smartphone, parents should consider three simple questions: whether there is a practical need, whether the child is responsible, and whether they can self-regulate screen time.
Difficult words
- landline — a home telephone without internet featuresLandlines
- boundary — a clear limit between two areas or activitiesboundaries
- excessive — more than is healthy or reasonable
- self-regulate — control one's own behavior without help
- anxiety — a feeling of worry or nervousness
- depression — a mental health condition causing deep sadness
- attention span — how long someone can focus on one taskattention spans
- social media — websites and apps for communicating online
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- At what age would you give a child a cellphone, and why?
- Would you prefer a shared home landline or a personal smartphone for a child? Explain your choice.
- What rules would you set to help a child self-regulate their screen time?
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