Hello!

With the increasing need for children to keep up with technology, we are beginning to discuss the inevitable moment our children will get a mobile phone. We are thinking around maybe 11 or 12 and I’m sure it varies based on each child and their individual family circumstance, but out of curiosity what age would you let your child get a mobile phone?


Want more real mum questions sent to you?

You'll need to check this email to complete your signup.
  • I think it depends on the reason why you’re wanting to get your kids a phone as to their age. My kid was 9 when he got one – he had the choice of pocket money or phone credit each month – he chose the phone.


  • My kids were in high school and they were really basic ones, phone calls and texts only. That was enough


  • I think 12 or 13 is a reasonable age.


  • I got mine in year 9 about 13 years old so would be happy for my kids to have the same.


  • My son will be 12 in December and he got a phone a couple of months ago as he’s going to high school next year


  • I was raised that if i wanted a phone i work for it, so with that for $5 a week i did paper rounds, 4 streets all on my own accord, and saved up for a $200 pink flip phone, and i was to pay all credit, i was in year 7 (12) and had been doing paper rounds since i was 8/9.
    It taught me alot about saving as well! And since then my mum has never had to pay a cent towards my phones!
    My children will be learning the same lesson! If they want a phone they can work for it and pay for it themselves… but year 7 is the minimum age! Open to ideas for a kids watch in grade5/6 if they need to contact me if they are with friends ect, but not a phone????


  • After completing school


  • I don’t know if this is really an “age” answer for me. My eldest won’t be getting a phone until she is 12 and the only reason she will at that age is because she will be travelling to school by bus and will need to for communication otherwise she probably wouldn’t get one until she is like 16!


  • When I feel she is mature enough to be away from home without me and to use the phone responsibly….but this is ages away for us. So could change with today’s society norms


  • I know a lass who was given one when she was 10 y.o.. to be used for emergencies only. It has 2 or 3 numbers in it that she can call or text and receive from. Apart from them the phone is “locked” and nothing else can be accessed at all. It is also on a cheap prepaid plan. I have a phone the same and she knows how to navigate mine. She can navigate hers but not use the functions.


  • When they start high school is a must for a mobile phone not only for there safety but for your peace of mind to know if they are alright


  • I think my daughter will get one when she leaves primary school, so around age 11


  • My daughter got her phone when she started high school.


  • I think 13 – teenager? But depends on the child too


  • Both of my boys got a mobile phone (without a sim) at about 8 years old. They were our old ones which they used in a similar way to ipads (which we have never brought). A sim card was put in the phones when they started high school


  • My daughter got her mobile phone when she was 10. That was the same time she started having sleepovers and I wanted her to know she could contact me at any time. Now she is 12 and uses it to see which gate I’m picking her up from at school or to let me know she’s finished basketball training and ready to be picked up. I agree with other mum’s it is when they need it not necessarily want it and when they are mature enough to use it responsibly.


  • If I could it would be 18. I fear there is so much negativity out there in cyberspace for young impressionable tweens/teens who are still learning to just be themselves without having so many online influences jammed down their throat. In saying that I would never want my daughter to feel like she is left out of the norm. I think maybe 13/14 for a smart phone with internet access. Perhaps a basic calls/text phone for emergencies at 10/11. I guess time will tell when she gets there….fingers crossed times have changed by then ????


  • I agree 11 or 12. For safety


  • My kids are only 1 and 2 atm so they won’t be getting one for a LONNNGGG time. But I was in year 8 when I first got my phone, I caught public transport to and from school and an incident happened to me so my mum got me a phone. So I think between 11 and 13 is a perfect age.


  • I do have to admit I am loving the mom responses here to this. Yes at first no need for internet etc. Just call and text.


Post your reply

To post a review/comment please join us or login so we can allocate your points.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join