Depends on the child and their ability to make responsible choices.
For my eldest 2 we bought a phone when they started high school.
However for our 13 yr old (yr 8) we haven’t bought a phone yet due to her online behaviour and missusing of phones ipad’s and computers

I gave my kids a mobile when they started High School its really a necessity at that age

I think when they start having to get to and from school on their own is a good time for a phone.

I think it really depends on circumstances.
With so many younger children having phones now the pressure is on & of course it must be the best & the newest phone on the market.
I got my first phone at 16 & I had to buy it myself, there was no internet, no camera, just the basic call & text, & it was all I needed!
I think once the child is out making their own way to & from school, or attending sporting events it may be necessary to look into purchasing a phone. You can get a good quality prepaid phone that does have the camera & basic internet for $15 on special in Coles, if it gets lost or broken it is not going to be as upsetting as a $1,000 iPhone! I would say start discussing the possibility of a mobile from 12 years on. High school is probably when I would purchase but only ever purchase prepaid! You can only use what you have & don’t have to worry about a high bill!
Remind your child that their phone is for safety not pleasure. If they want a pleasure phone then they will have to save up & buy it themselves, it is ridiculous the prices of some mobile phones. I won’t purchase a $500 phone for myself so I most certainly would not be purchasing one for a child. Accidents happen & it is inevitable.

When they were old enough to be doing things on their own, such as walking to and from school, to,and from bus stops, visiting friends, playing out of school sports. I think they need one today for safety purposes

Interesting answers read, I think when you feel most comfortable.

I won’t buy my son a phone until he’s 16, if he wants a phone before then, he’ll have to save up and buy his own.

If they are going to be out by themselves then a phone is a good idea. But even then, it’s only given to them when they are out by themselves.

I work for a Telco and can honestly say I would not want to give my daughter a phone of her own until she is 16 (and only prepaid, there are too many horror stories and bill shock I have seen), however getting realistic I discussed with my husband and we have decided that 14 is a good age, this is considering my daughter will never have to catch public transport to and from school otherwise I would consider it at 12. I got my first phone at 15 and I had a job so paid for it myself.

I THINK YR 7 IS A GOOD TIME EXPECIALLY IF THEY ARE CATCHING TRANSPORT TO AND FROM SCHOOL

Well I know a few children at my children’s school have them and they are around 11 ish but they do catch a bus to school so I can understand that a little. At this stage (obviously opinions change with time) but I don’t think I would be buying one for my child until they are around 15 when they are out a bit with friends and may need one for calling etc. I would make my decision based on it being a safety issue but if it’s just because they want one I’m not sure I would let them have one.