What age should a child get their first phone?

There is no single right age. Most UK children get a phone between 9 and 12, often linked to walking to secondary school. Readiness matters more than age.

Should I read my child's messages?

Be open about the fact you can check the phone, especially in the first months. Tell them in advance, and focus on safety patterns rather than secret reading.

Where can I report something serious?

Call 999 in an emergency, 101 for non-emergencies, NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, and use CEOP to report online sexual abuse or grooming.

Ages 9-12

Your Child's First Phone

A calm, practical pathway for setting up a child's first smartphone with sensible UK family safety steps.

A first phone is a milestone, not a finish line. The aim is gradual independence with steady adult support, not handing over an adult device on day one.

Use the first 30 days to agree expectations, set up controls together, and keep the conversation open about what your child sees and feels online.

Readiness signs

Look for these before saying yes

✓Can follow agreed screen-time limits on a tablet or shared device.
✓Tells you when something online upsets or confuses them.
✓Understands that messages and photos can be shared further.
✓Walks or travels short routes without needing constant prompting.
✓Can resist pressure to share passwords with friends.

Parent checklist

Step 1

Choose a basic or refurbished handset rather than a flagship model.

Step 2

Set up Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link before first use.

Step 3

Turn off in-app purchases and require approval for downloads.

Step 4

Add your number, a trusted adult, 999 and 101 to contacts.

Step 5

Agree where the phone sleeps at night (out of the bedroom).

Step 6

Enable Find My iPhone or Google Find My Device.

Step 7

Save Childline 0800 1111 and NSPCC 0808 800 5000 in contacts.

Family agreement points

•I will tell a trusted adult if something upsets or scares me.
•I will not share my passwords with friends or classmates.
•I will keep the phone out of my bedroom at night.
•I will not download apps without asking first.
•I understand the phone can be reviewed together at any time.

What to say

Phrases that help

"This phone is a shared responsibility, not a reward you can lose forever."
"If something feels weird online, you can always come to me. You will not be in trouble."
"We will check the settings together every month for the first few months."
"Some apps have age limits for good reasons, so we will agree which ones make sense."
"If a stranger contacts you, screenshot it and show me before replying."

Settings to review

•Screen Time or Family Link daily limits and downtime.
•App Store / Play Store purchase approvals.
•Default search engine set to a safe search mode.
•Location sharing restricted to family only.
•Contacts-only messaging where the platform allows.
•Lock screen notifications hidden for messaging apps.

Red flags

Sudden secrecy about who is messaging them.
Hiding the screen or quickly closing apps when you walk in.
New contacts you do not recognise or cannot place.
Sleep, mood, or appetite changes linked to phone use.

Review in 30 days

Come back to these questions

→Review screen-time reports together for the past week.
→Look at installed apps and remove anything unused.
→Talk through any uncomfortable messages or content seen.
→Check that bedroom and mealtime rules are still being kept.
→Adjust limits up or down based on how the month went.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 2026-05-16Next review: 2026-11-16Reviewed against: UK safeguarding practice

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.