The Best Age to Get a Phone: Signs Your Child Is Ready

Download Article

How to integrate a phone into your child’s life responsibly

Co-authored by Bark and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

What’s the right age?

|

Signs They’re Ready

|

Choosing a Phone

|

Phone Transition Tips

|

About Bark

|

FAQs

This article was created in collaboration with an advertising partner. Learn more here.

Kids are getting phones younger than ever these days. In 2015, only 24% of tweens had their own smartphone, but by 2021, that number had jumped to 43% and is still growing today.^{[1]
X
Research source} This begs the question: What is the right age for a child to get their first phone? We’ve partnered with the child phone safety pros at Bark to explore what the recommended age for a phone is and the signs that your child is ready to handle one responsibly. We’ve also got tips on how to pick a device and make a smooth transition into phone ownership. Keep scrolling to have all your questions answered!

When should kids get a phone?

Many families land on age 12-14, but readiness varies. Signs a child is mature enough for a phone include being able to care for expensive items, follow tech rules, and ask parents for support when needed. Some research also suggests having a phone before age 13 is linked to poorer mental health outcomes.

Section 1 of 6:

What age is the right age for a phone?

Download Article

Many families decide that age 12-14 is the best age, but there is no “right” answer. When a child is ready for a phone depends on their maturity and their family’s needs (for example, an 11-year-old involved in extracurriculars may need a device to keep in touch with their parents). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests signs of phone readiness like being responsible about homework, caring for expensive items, following other tech rules, saying sorry when they hurt someone’s feelings, and asking parents for support when needed.^{[2]
X
Research source} Overall experts agree that phone readiness has less to do with age and more to do with maturity and developmental stage.
- What do parents think? In a Pew Research poll, 73% of parents said children should be at least 12-14 years old before getting a phone, with only 22% saying it was acceptable for kids under 12.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Pew Research Center
  Nonpartisan thinktank conducting research and providing information on public opinion, demographic trends, and social trends
  
  Go to source}
- What do children think? A youth survey in the National Library of Medicine shows that most adolescents also believe that age 12-13 is the most appropriate time to get a phone. Most youth cited necessity (communicating with parents, participating in activities away from home) as the primary reason for getting a phone.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- What does the research say? A recent study published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities found that smartphone use by children younger than 13 is associated with worse mental health outcomes compared to those who get phones later (particularly in girls). The study recommends not giving tweens a phone until they’re at least 13 years old.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Are there alternatives? Products like the Bark Phone, a smartphone with built-in parental controls, give children independence and parents peace of mind. Old-school flip phones and smartwatches with texting and calling capabilities are also alternatives to a regular smartphone (just keep in mind that even some flip phones have Internet access these days, so a device built with kids’ safety in mind is always the safer bet).

Section 2 of 6:

What makes a child ready for a phone?

Download Article

1
They can responsibly care for expensive things. A cell phone (especially a smartphone) is an expensive item that your child will need to handle carefully to avoid losing or breaking it. Are they typically responsible with valuable or important items? How often do they lose things? When you explain that something is extra important or fragile, do they follow your advice? These are all practical things to consider before buying a phone.
- In addition to the cost of the phone itself, you’ll also have to pay for an additional device on your cell plan. Losing or breaking phones on top of this can add up!
Here’s where the consequences of careless smartphone use become more concrete. An inappropriate post or photo on social media might invite social backlash online or in real life, even if your child didn’t mean any intentional harm. Further, traces of any post can be found by school administrators and teachers, college admissions staff, or even current or future employers (if your child is a teen who’s old enough to work). As the saying goes, “the Internet is forever.”
3
They accept limits to their screen time and other ground rules. If your child is constantly glued to the TV or a computer screen, they may also have trouble setting the phone down (and may become irritable or depressed when limits are imposed or the phone is taken away). If screen time is a concern, it may be best to wait longer for a smartphone.
- Products like the Bark Phone allow you to easily manage your child’s access and screen time if you feel like they need a phone for communication purposes, but are concerned about how much time they’re spending on their device.
4
They regularly come to you with their problems or concerns. When a child or tween has a smartphone, they don’t just have access to the Internet—the Internet has access to them, too. Do you trust that your child will come to you with concerns over interactions with strangers or potentially unsafe people? Would they tell you if they’re being bullied online? If they accidentally share sensitive information, are they likely to admit they made a mistake and ask for help? Anyone (even adults) can have lapses in judgment online, but kids and tweens are especially vulnerable to manipulation.
- Are you still unsure if your child is ready for a phone? The American Academy of Pediatrics has created a short questionnaire to help you decide if your child is up to the task of owning a phone. Take the quiz for more insight into their preparedness.
Does your child typically handle money well? When making purchases is as easy as tapping your finger on a screen, things like buying more lives in a game or purchasing a flashy accessory from Instagram become strong temptations. If they have their own debit or credit card (or have access to yours), you’ll need to trust that they can spend their money wisely.
If your child has difficulty socializing or catching on to things like sarcasm or humor, texting or posting on social media can exacerbate these problems. It’s notoriously difficult to pick up on tone and intent online, and communication issues can potentially lead to cyberbullying, feelings of isolation, or even divulging personal information.

Section 3 of 6:

Choosing the Right Phone for Your Child

Download Article

1
Consider a smartphone with parental controls for older children and tweens. Chances are that your child will want a smartphone with all the bells and whistles that come with it (like a nice camera and the ability to download games and social media apps). This is what grownups use, after all! If you’re considering this option, there are two routes you can take:
- Use apps to put parental controls on their phone. For example, you can set a unique password in a child’s iPhone to limit their screentime, or use a third-party app like the Bark Appto manage screen time, monitor social media, and track your child’s location.
- How does the Bark App work? Parents can use the app dashboard to block Internet access to specific apps or remove the app store entirely! For example, you might decide to block Snapchat on your child’s phone. While they could still download it, they’ll be unable to use it until you say it’s OK in the Bark App (and you’ll get an alert that it was installed, too).
- Or, use a smartphone that’s designed to keep kids safer from the start. The Bark Phone, for example, is a fully functional Android phone with customizable parental controls that can scan texts and emails for cyberbullying, illicit messages, signs of depression, and more. Bark’s technology can even disable the Internet, browsers, and apps until your child is ready for them.
2
Or, try a smartwatch or old-school flip phone for younger kids. Sometimes, going back to basics is the answer. A basic flip phone with simple texting, calling, and GPS monitoring capabilities is a great option for staying in touch with your child without the worries associated with social media, excessive screen time, or Internet access. Or, if you’re worried about them losing the phone, a smartwatch with calling and texting abilities will stay strapped to their wrist.
- For example, the Bark Watch is perfect for younger kids who aren’t quite ready to manage a phone themselves. There are no apps, social media, or access to the Internet, but it can text or call allowed contacts and track location!
- Note that while flip phones are simpler than smartphones, many still allow Internet access. It’s also more difficult to monitor who your child is interacting with compared to a smartphone with parental controls and oversight.

Section 4 of 6:

Tips for a Smooth Transition to Phone Ownership

Download Article

1
Make it clear you’ll monitor their phone use and have the right to take it away. Before they even get a phone in their hands, let your child know that, as their parent, you have the right to see what they’re using it for and to confiscate it if they’re not following your ground rules. Older tweens and teens may protest this, but hold the line—these are the conditions for having a phone. Here are some guidelines to consider:
- Let them know that you’ll need to know the password to their phone and can unlock it if you suspect they’re misusing it.
- If you allow them to have social media accounts, make an account of your own to follow them and watch their page. (Avoid going through their private messages unless there is a legitimate concern to respect their privacy, though.)
- Agree on a set amount of money they’re allowed to use for game or app expenses.
- With devices like the Bark Phone, you can even approve new contacts so that your child is only using their phone to reach people you know and trust.
2
Support their favorite phone activities while discouraging harmful ones. Your child likely wants a phone for a specific reason—to text friends, to engage with pop culture on social media, to play games, etc. Ask them what they most want to do on their phone and show them how to do it responsibly. For example, if they’re a gamer, show them where they can get games, how much they’re allowed to spend, and advise them not to interact with other players they don’t know.
- Focusing on the fun and positive ways they can use their phone makes it more likely they’ll come to you when issues arise. If you only focus on the dangers and negatives, your child may be more likely to conceal problems or mistakes.
3
Set limits on screen time and phone time. If you have parental controls set up, set a limit to how long your child can use certain apps per day. Or, if you prefer, you can control how long they use their phone period (with parental controls or by making them put it away). There’s no “best” recommended amount of screen time per day; as long as they are getting adequate sleep (9-12 hours per night for ages 5-12 or 8-10 hours for ages 13+) and at least an hour of physical activity per day, then screen time can be flexible.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- You might also consider setting “no phone” times, like during family meals or the hour before bedtime, to help curb screen time.
4
Set clear consequences for losing or breaking their phone. Phones are expensive items, and if your child loses or breaks theirs, they’ll probably want a replacement ASAP. While you might also want a fast replacement for peace of mind, try not to make it too easy on them. Will they have to help cover the repair cost? Will they have to wait a week before you purchase a new one as a lesson? Will the new device be a downgrade to a flip phone or smartwatch?
- Decide what course of action is best for your family, cell plan, and budget, then let your child know what the consequences will be from the get-go.
How you use your phone around your child will influence how they use theirs, too. If you’re texting at dinner or scrolling while the TV is on, for example, they’re likely to pick up the same habits. Model good smartphone use by putting your phone away at family meals and before bedtime, and using your phone as a tool for specific tasks (rather than scrolling aimlessly whenever you have downtime).^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source

Child Mind Institute
Nonprofit organization providing evidence-based care for children with mental health and learning disorders and their families

Go to source}

Section 5 of 6:

Learn More about the Bark Phone for Kids

Download Article

The Bark Phone is ideal for kids who need a full-feature phone with customizable built-in safeguards. Bark allows parents to decide what their child needs access to and when. Want to prevent texting strangers? You can approve their contacts. Want to remove the app store so they can only call and text? You’ve got the power to decide which apps they can have and when. With Bark, you don’t need to buy a new phone with each milestone to allow more access; new capabilities await with just the tap of a finger!
- The Bark Phone comes ready with parental controls, content filtering, and Bark’s award-winning monitoring always running in the background.
- GPS tracking and location alerts give caregivers insight into where their kids are
- Kids get access to music, calls, texting, and apps — but only what parents approve.
- It’s a real phone with real tools, not a locked-down toy. Kids get a sleek, modern phone, but caregivers can manage everything remotely from the Bark parent app.
- The Bark Phone was named one of Time’s Best Inventions of 2023 and is trusted by over 7 million families.
- Are you ready to take the plunge and get your child their first smartphone? Try Bark today!

Section 6 of 6:

Frequently Asked Questions

Download Article

1
What are the risks of children using cell phones? Some common risks include divulging personal information online or on social media, interacting with strangers, cyberbullying, or spending excessive money on games and apps. Additionally, phone use in children is linked to poorer academic performance, sleep disruption, obesity (from sedentary screen time), and socially awkward texting interactions stemming from immaturity.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Further, social media use in children under 16 is linked to increased anxiety and depression.
2
What are the signs that a phone is negatively impacting your child? Behaviorally, your child may get anxious or irritable when they can’t access their phone and feel a need to check it constantly due to “FOMO” (fear of missing out). Poorer sleep, a more sedentary lifestyle, worsening grades, and an increasing preference to interact online instead of in real life are also signs that a cell phone is having a negative impact.
- Phone addiction is a real condition that may be driven by virtual relationships, information overload, and other online compulsions like gambling or shopping. Support groups and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help kids and tweens find a healthier balance.^{[9]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  HelpGuide
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
  
  Go to source}
3
How does ADHD impact a child’s phone use? Kids wth ADHD can become hyper-focused on technology. There is a correlation between ADHD and high levels of screen time, compulsive video game use, and a higher risk of becoming behaviorally or cognitively dependent on their mobile device.^{[10]
X
Research source}
4
Why are children so eager to have smartphones? Children and tweens see adults and teens use phones all around them and are eager to have one too. They may feel socially isolated if they’re not on social media or part of group texts, and many view phone ownership as a major milestone or sign of maturity.