What Age Should A Kid Get A Phone?

*Disclaimer: This guide was developed by T-Mobile for informational purposes, based on publicly available data. It reflects an editorial perspective to assist readers in comparing smartphone features and specifications sold in our store.

If you’re a parent of a middle schooler who doesn't have their own phone, you may both feel like you're alone in the world. After all, it seems like kids are getting phones earlier than ever before! The good news is, you're not alone. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 75% of parents surveyed say 12 is the absolute minimum age before they'd even consider getting their child a phone.

The truth is, there's no magic age when it comes to buying your child their own device, since every kid and every family is different.

Four factors to consider before your child gets a phone

Deciding the right time to buy your child a phone is a deeply personal decision that will be based on many factors, including your values, your child’s personality, your goals, your budget and so much more. But here are four things to keep in mind that may help gauge whether you and your child are ready to go down this path.

Maturity level. If you have a 12-year-old who is very responsible, mindful and tends to follow the rules, they could probably handle a phone better than, say, a 14-year-old who is a little more careless, forgetful or reckless. You know your child better than anyone. So, be sure to consider this in your decision-making process.
Need for communication. If your child’s schedule is getting busier and busier, the need to stay in touch is probably increasing, whether they’re traveling for sports, taking part in after-school activities, or spending more time at friends’ houses. If they’re mostly still at home with you, a phone may not be needed just yet.
Risks vs. rewards. While staying connected is a definite benefit, be aware of the possible risks that come with your child having their own smartphone, from access to sketchy online content and strangers, to too much screen time, to disrupted sleep, and more. Be sure to have a safety gameplan in mind if you’re leaning toward getting them a device.
New rules. Know that setting boundaries and monitoring activities will soon be a big part of your world, that may include tracking the apps they download, screening contacts, familiarizing yourself with content blockers, teaching them about bullying (and being bullied), and beyond.

Parental control options

If you do decide it’s time to get your child their own phone, be sure to take advantage of all the free tools that can help you keep them safe. For example, T-Mobile offers parents and guardians several options, including:

Web Guard. Want to limit your child from viewing certain content online? Web Guard is a free service that you can add to select lines on your account to help restrict kids from accessing adult content when connected to our network. (Note: it doesn’t restrict content when browsing over Wi-Fi or when accessing content via an app, and it won’t block instant messaging (IM), email, and text messages.)

Kids’ Line privacy settings. This feature lets you tell us that a line on your account is for a child under the age of 16. Once activated, we won’t use data from that line for advertising, and we’ll opt the line out of receiving marketing communications from T-Mobile.

FamilyMode and Safe & Found. FamilyMode and Safe & Found are two solutions that let you manage and control kids’ online activities and screen time across your family’s compatible devices. Here are a few things you can do:

Control when and where your family can access the internet
Use live tracking and location history (FamilyMode 3.2 only)
Create profiles for your family
Set web browsing filters and manage history
View locations and set a Safety Area that lets you know when your child arrives or leaves a specific area
Send rewards for good behavior

Our 3 favorite phones for kids

If you do decide to get a cell phone for your child, there are a lot of budget-friendly options available. Here are a few we like for tweens and teens, and they’re all around $200 or less:

Nokia G310 5G. Stylish, durable and easy on the wallet, this device features a large 6.6-inch HD+ display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G mobile platform, up-to three days of battery life, a triple-rear 50MP camera with AI enhancements, solid audio and playback sound, 128GB of storage, plus it's a Nokia QuickFix phone, which makes DIY phone repairs an actual thing! It's a great option for budget-conscious parents.

Revvl 8. With a vibrant 6.6-inch FHD+ display, dual rear cameras with OIS, and fast 5G UC connectivity plus satellite capability, Revvl 8 keeps kids connected wherever they go. It's a smart choice for streaming, schoolwork, and everyday use. Powered by a reliable Qualcomm chipset, it offers 128GB of internal storage with microSD support up to 2TB, a 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging, and our limited lifetime warranty for added peace of mind. All at a price that’s hard to beat.

moto g 2025. Boasting a super-bright 6.7-inch display, long-lasting 5,000mAh battery with TurboPower charging, powerful speakers, an impressive 50MP Quad Pixel camera system, and plenty of storage, this phone has everything you and your kids want. It also features a stylish vegan leather design.

Of course, you could also give them your old phone and upgrade to a shiny, new device of your very own.

Kid-friendly alternatives to smartphones

Still not sure if you're ready to get your child a smartphone? There are some other options to help them stay connected.

Dumb phones

A "dumb phone" is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a non-smart phone that performs only basic functions, primarily calling and texting. These phones don’t have the advanced on-board technology or apps that we’re used to on modern smartphones, but they will keep you and your kids connected. Here are a few of our favorites:

TCL Flip Go. If you want your kid to stay connected but don’t want them to access online content, this phone is the perfect no-frills choice. It has 4G LTE connectivity, a 2MP video-capable camera, two colorful displays (2.8-inch internal and 1.44-inch external), dedicated shortcut keys for contacts and messages, a powerful speaker with noise cancelation and HD voice, plus it has a headphone jack with Bluetooth capabilities, as well.

Sonim XP3plus 5G. The Sonim XP3plus 5G is a flip phone that’s built for durability. It’s resistant to drops, impacts, punctures, pressure and chemicals, and it stands up to water submersions and extreme temperatures. There’s a camera for snapping photos, a long-lasting battery, internal and external display, and programmable buttons and SOS emergency buttons. This phone also has a non-camera version available if you want to keep it super simple.

Kid-friendly smartwatches

If you want to stay connected, but have littler kids who aren't quite ready for a phone, you could always choose a wearable option that’s a win-win for you both. Here’s our top pic:

SyncUP KIDS Watch 2. It has a lot of private communication tools and tracking capabilities built in, is durable, and includes things kids love such as two cameras, a built-in flashlight, games and so much more. Plus, since it's made for children, it also has those Kids' Line Privacy features we mentioned earlier. Here are just a few other things it can help you do:
- Stay connected with your kids via unlimited texts, calls, videos, or voice messages. See where your kids are 24/7, thanks to real-time secure location tracking and virtual boundary alerts.
- Add an unlimited number of contacts, including emergency contacts, all pre-approved by you. Your child’s watch can only communicate with these contacts. There's even a dedicated 911 button for emergencies.
- Give them access to full features or choose the School Mode setting to help them stay focused in class.
- Let your kids capture selfies on the 5MP on the watch face, or capture the world with an autofocus 8MP camera on the front edge of the watch.
- Have fun playing a selection of kid-friendly games.
- Keep them challenged and on-the-move with a step counter that lets you set daily step goals. You can even set tasks, reminders, and rewards for your kids. There's also a built-in alarm, timer, and stopwatch.
- Enjoy the peace of mind that durability brings. It's splash friendly and water resistant, and with the long-lasting battery, this just might be the best kids' watch out there.

No matter which device you choose for your kids, a smartphone, dumb phone, or kids’ smartwatch, safety, connectivity, and ease of use are key.

Still undecided?

You may also be interested in:

^{*Product pricing and availability are subject to change. Visit our}^website^{for the latest offers on phones, devices, and accessories.}

Sources: