How old should children be allowed to use phones?

In the digital age, smartphones are appearing in children’s hands earlier than ever, sometimes before their 10th birthday. For many families, this may be a practical step toward safety or connectivity, but more and more parents are starting to wonder: are we giving our children too much, too soon?

A survey by the famous US-based public opinion polling company Harris Poll in 2024 showed a worrying fact, 81% of parents said their children owned a smartphone before the age of 12.

In fact, 15% said their children were using smartphones regularly when they were just 5 years old. By the time they enter first grade, many children have their own devices, accessing the digital world without necessarily being emotionally ready.

Along with devices, social media has also crept into children’s lives. Although the law prohibits children under 13 from creating accounts without parental consent, the reality is very different:

- 51% of kids start using Instagram before the age of 12.

- 51% used Snapchat before the age of 12.

- With TikTok, this number is up to 57%

Once the device is in your hands, it becomes difficult to control what you consume and how much time you spend on it. Social media platforms are designed to attract attention, and children who are not yet able to self-regulate can easily get caught up in a cycle of comparison, pressure, and negative information.

Social pressure also means many parents feel “forced” to follow the trend. 54% admitted giving their children social media because “everyone else has it”, while 39% said they regretted giving their children phones too early. One parent said: “It’s not that we felt our child was ready, it’s that we didn’t want them to be left out.”

While there is no “right” age for kids to start using a phone, many parents are rethinking it. When asked what they would do differently, 66% said they would wait until at least ninth grade (about age 14) to give their kids a smartphone, and 73% said social media should be delayed until age 16.

The gap between the age at which children are exposed to technology and the age at which parents feel “comfortable” with it is widening. This raises an important question for modern society: are we exposing children to an environment where even adults do not fully understand the risks?

If you are a parent, caregiver or educator, perhaps it is time to reconsider whether children need a connected device so early, or do they need more time to grow up before entering the digital world?

Why are more and more parents wanting to delay their children's access to technology?

As smartphones and social media become more and more prevalent in children's lives, many parents are starting to feel like the pace is getting out of control.

Many people share that they regret letting their children get used to technology too early, especially when they have to witness what has been replaced such as physical activity time, real-life experiences and social interactions.

Online time is taking away from valuable real-world experiences

According to a survey, 40% of parents with children aged 6–12 want their children to have more time to play outdoors without being closely supervised or tied down by screens.

This rate increases to 47% for parents with children aged 13–17, suggesting greater concern as children enter adolescence, a critical stage of psychological and social development.

Parents aren’t completely anti-technology. But they’re looking for a sensible step back, to give kids more space for screen-free activities like free play, social skills development, independence, and direct experience of the world.

Concerns about social media and mental health are growing

Several recent studies have shown a link between social media and issues such as anxiety, depression, and body image disorders in teenagers.

So it's not just about concerns about inappropriate content or security risks, but also about wanting children to grow up with a strong emotional foundation, not being dominated too early by pressures from the online world.

Deciding when is the right age for your child to have access to smartphones and social media has never been easier. While digital devices have become an indispensable tool, many families are facing the consequences of “screen time too early”, leading to learning distraction, reduced physical activity and psychological disorders.

More and more parents are asking, can we delay it longer to protect our children from the unseen impacts? And from what they share, the answer is increasingly leaning towards “slowing down to let children grow at their own natural pace”.

By limiting screen time, postponing social media, and giving kids more opportunities to live in the real world, parents can not only protect their children from digital risks, but also help them develop confidence, resilience, and the ability to connect in real life, which no app can replace./.