6 signs your child is ready for their first phone, and what kind

These are a parent's judgments, not clinical guidance.

The six signs

1. 

   They can keep a device charged and not lose it.

2. 

   They travel without you, or live away from you, for example walking to school or catching a bus. That could indicate a need for calls and maps.

3. 

   They exhibit self-control with TV or other addictive things. That's the best predictor you'll get.

4. 

   They are secure in themselves and don't compare themselves to their peers, most of the time.

5. 

   They understand apps can exploit their time and attention, so nothing's really free.

6. 

   They can look at a post/article/message and critique it, identifying likely AI, click-bait, manipulation and advertisements.

Let's be honest, many adults can't do all 6 of those things, at least not all the time. Which is why I have Brickify on my own smartphone blocking socials and the app store after 11:30pm when I'm most likely to doomscroll or download a ridiculously addictive game.

What kind?

Here are four options, from least to most enabled:

1. A kids' smartwatch for calls and location.
2. A basic phone for calls and texts.
3. A smartphone stripped back with Brickify set to your schedule.
4. A full smartphone with built-in controls.

Smartphone Free Childhood's Parent Pact asks families to wait until 14 for a smartphone and 16 for social media. According to Smartphone Free Childhood, it's been signed for more than 200,000 children. That's a legitimate choice, and the UK's under-16 social media ban (due to start in March 2027) points the same way.