What age should I give my child their first smartphone, and is a basic phone a reasonable first step?

There's no single right age; readiness and your child's needs matter more than a birthday. Many families introduce a phone around the move to secondary school. A basic 'brick' phone that only calls and texts is a sensible first step, giving you contact for the journey to school without the internet, social media, and app risks of a full smartphone.

Should my child keep their phone in their bedroom overnight?

Ideally not. Charging the phone overnight in a communal area like the kitchen protects sleep, removes the temptation of late-night scrolling or messaging, and reduces the risk of unsupervised contact while you're asleep. Build this into your phone agreement from day one, as it's far easier to start with the rule than to introduce it later.

Preparing Your Child for Their First Smartphone

A practical guide for parents getting ready to give their 11–13 year old their first smartphone, covering setup, rules, and ongoing conversations.

The move to secondary school often triggers the first smartphone purchase. This is a significant moment — it gives your child access to the internet, social media, messaging, and apps wherever they go. Proper preparation before handing over the device can make a real difference to your child's safety and your peace of mind.

Before You Buy

Consider whether a basic phone without internet access might be sufficient initially. If you decide on a smartphone, choose one with strong parental control options — both iPhone (Screen Time) and Android (Family Link) offer comprehensive tools. Research the options and set up the device fully before giving it to your child.

Setting Up the Device Together

Make setup a joint activity. Walk through privacy settings, app permissions, and content restrictions with your child so they understand what is in place and why. Enable location sharing for safety and agree which apps they are allowed to install. Set up screen time limits from the start.

Creating a Smartphone Agreement

Write a simple agreement covering when the phone can be used, where it is charged overnight (ideally outside the bedroom), what to do if something worrying happens, and the consequences of breaking the rules. Both you and your child should sign it. Revisit it every few months as trust builds.

External sources

Set up parental controls — Internet Matters
Keeping children safe online — NSPCC

Frequently Asked Questions

This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.