What Age Should A Child Get a Cell Phone?

Updated – Originally published June 16, 2020

To all the parents out there who worry that their 8-14-year-old isn’t ready for their first phone, we get it! 

Maybe your kid is the only one in their friend group without a phone. Maybe they’re begging you daily, saying they feel left out. And maybe, in your gut, you’re worried they’re not quite ready for everything that comes with a phone.

The truth? You’re probably right to pause. Most adult smartphones come with serious risks — like exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online predators, and sexting. But as your kids get older and more independent, they also need a way to stay connected. 

So what age should a child get a cell phone? And how can you tell if your kid is ready?

How to Know When Your Kid Is Ready for Their First Phone

It’s a challenge for every parent to decide when the time is right to buy their child a kid-safe phone. There’s no magic number or perfect formula. But there are some signs and milestones that can help you feel more confident about the decision. At Gabb, our Tech in Steps philosophy encourages families to build digital trust in stages.

Phones should be safe for kids and grow with them — starting with essential features and expanding as maturity and responsibility increase. Here are some key signs to look for when deciding if the time is right to give your child a phone.

Maturity

A smartphone symbolizes trust. When you hand your son or daughter their first phone, you’re counting on them to use this powerful tool constructively. 

Ask yourself: Are they honest when things go wrong? Does your child handle their responsibilities without constant reminders? Do they follow rules with other devices? 

These aren’t just good habits — they’re the foundation of responsible tech use.

Performance at School

A smartphone can be a great tool for research and group projects, but it can also get in the way of schoolwork. Consider your kid’s grades, behavior, and homework habits. Would a smartphone with all its capabilities distract them from their studies and real-life friendships? Mental Health

For kids who struggle with ADHD, anxiety, or other mental health challenges, a smartphone might make things worse. Don’t be afraid to talk openly with your child about how they’re feeling and how they use tech. If you’re on the fence, hit pause and revisit the conversation in a few months. If you’re really unsure, you may want to connect with  a mental health professional to help guide your decision. 

Age

While age should never be the only factor, it matters. Teens are on the move more than younger kids and are more independent, more experienced with tech, and often need a phone for school, work, or team coordination. So what age should a child get a cell phone?… 

Well, the truth is  there’s no magic number. Most parents believe kids are ready for their first phone in middle school, but even then, that doesn’t have to mean the latest Apple or Android phone with all its unrestricted access. A first phone for kids should be a safephone like a Gabb Phone — one where they can call, text, and listen to music. If your teen needs access to safe, school-friendly apps, the Gabb Phone Pro can be a great step up — offering Gabb-reviewed apps without an internet browser. 

Smartphone Risks to Consider

There are many risks to consider when choosing your child’s first smartphone. Let’s discuss a few of them.

Exposure to Explicit Content

One of the most frightening things a parent faces when handing  a smartphone over to their kids is exposure to predators and mature content. From social media to the Dark Web, an adult smartphone puts things in reach that kids really shouldn’t see. 

Even with age limits and safety settings in place, kids are smart. They know how to bypass restrictions — whether it’s signing up for Instagram before age 13 or finding content that should be way outside their world.  That’s how many kids end up exposed to explicit content far too early, including pornography. And it doesn’t stop at what they see — some are pressured into sharing content themselves. Sexting among tweens and teens is more common than many parents realize. Adolescents often make choices without fully understanding the consequences.

Cyberbullying

Approximately half of U.S. teens have been cyberbullied at some point, and about 27% have experienced cyberbullying in the last 30 days. This rise underscores the pervasive nature of online harassment and its impact on adolescents’ mental health, academic performance, and social development.

Cyberbullying includes harassing, name-calling, and making fun of kids, and can come from classmates or strangers online — often on social media. All of these interactions can put kids at risk in terms of their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. 

Excessive Screen Time

Kids today are spending more time on screens than ever before, with children between 8 and 12 years of age spending about 5.5 hours a day on screens and teens 9 hours — a nearly two hour increase in the last decade!

This surge in screen time isn’t just about watching TV anymore. Teens are engaging with various forms of digital content, including social media, gaming, and streaming platforms. Even though technology can offer educational and some social benefits, excessive screen time has been linked to sleep disturbances, reduced physical activity, and reduced attention span.

Missing Out

When screens take over, kids miss out on the simple joys of childhood — like playing outside, exploring their world, or just hanging out face-to-face with friends.  These activities aren’t just hallmark moments, they’re essential for developing social skills, creativity, and emotional resilience.

Too much screen time can also eat into hours that could be spent on schoolwork, hobbies, or extracurricular activities.  Plus, blue light from screens and lack of exercise can mess with their sleep, making it harder to concentrate and manage moods during the day.

As with everything, we need to encourage a healthy balance so that screens don’t replace the real-life experiences that help kids grow and thrive.

A Solution For Smartphones and Kids

After everything we’ve just covered, it’s totally fair to wonder: Is there any safe way to give my kid a phone?
Well, Gabb Phone was made in response to that question. 

Gabb saw the risks — but also recognized the need. Kids need a way to reach their parents, make plans, and build responsibility, but aren’t ready to have the whole internet in their pocket.

Gabb Phone is designed with a “just right” approach for kids, tweens, and teens. It’s built around our Tech in Steps philosophy, which helps kids safely grow their independence.

Here’s how Gabb made a phone for kids that feels a whole lot smarter.

Independence (Without the Overwhelm)

Gabb Phones let kids call and text — and that’s often exactly what they need. Whether it’s asking for a pickup after practice or checking in with a friend, communication becomes easier. And kids start learning how to manage time, make plans, and reach out when needed. 

Affordability (Because Parenting Isn’t Cheap)

At $149.99, Gabb Phone, costs a fraction of the price of a traditional  smartphone — and that matters. 

Kids are still learning to care for expensive things, and accidents (or losses) happen. With Gabb, you’re not out $800 when a phone ends up in a creek.

Less Scrolling, More Living

Because Gabb Phone doesn’t come with an internet browser, app store, or social media, kids spend less time scrolling and more time doing. With no app store or web access, you don’t need to stress about screen-time battles or setting complex time limits.

For Older Kids Who Need a Bit More

If your teen is juggling school assignments, a job, sports, or group chats for club or team activities, they might need more than just call and text. 

The Gabb Phone Pro adds safe, parent-approved apps from the Gabb App Store — like school and team apps — without opening the floodgates to everything else. Gabb phones keep things simple from the start, so you’re not constantly managing parental controls or worrying about hidden apps. No app store, no web browser, no social media.

It’s a great option for kids who’ve proven they’re ready for a little more without throwing everything at them at once. 

What age should a child get a cell phone? 

The real answer is: it depends on your kid. There’s no magic number — just the right time for your family, based on your child’s maturity, needs, and your family’s values. Trust your gut, start small, and let their digital freedom grow — with a device that’s designed to grow with them.

We’d love to hear from you.

What resonated with you in this article? What are you still feeling unsure about? Let us know in the comments below.