Smartphones for children: Aussie parents weighing up the best age to give kids technology

ALMOST half of all Aussie parents are weighing up whether to give their kids a smartphone this Christmas. But how young is too young, and what rules should you put in place?

MORE than just decorative lights will be plugged in this Christmas, with almost half of all parents weighing up whether to buy their child a smartphone for the holiday.

While children entering high school have the best chance of finding a phone under the tree this year, new research obtained by News Corp revealed three in five 12-year-olds already own a mobile phone, and even young primary school students were increasingly slipping the devices into their backpacks.

Australian children are getting access to technology younger. Louie, 3, with his sister Evie, 6 months, and mum Imogen Lewis share devices. Picture: Alex Coppel

Technology experts warned parents to carefully consider whether their child was ready for independent access to technology, however, and to get them to sign a contract before they handed over devices.

Research from Telstra this week revealed 45 per cent of parents with school-age children were debating whether to buy their child a smartphone this Christmas, with safety and greater independence top of mind.

More than six in 10 parental smartphone buyers said ensuring their child’s safety was their top motivating factor, and 12 years was the most common age to get a smartphone.

A study of more than 2000 Australian parents, conducted by Finder.com.au, also revealed more than 60 per cent of children owned a smartphone by the age of 12, but many were getting handsets much younger.

One in 10 Australian girls owned a smartphone by the age of four, and boys caught up at five years of age. That number doubled by the time the children turned 10 years old.

Finder.com.au telco expert Alex Kidman said the arrival of high school, or travelling to school independently, was often the deciding factor in buying a child a smartphone, although 10 per cent of parents admitted they caved into their kid’s demands for a device.

“Just under 20 per cent of parents said they were buying smartphones because their kids were making their own way to school,” he said. “It means peace of mind, especially now there are so many prepaid plans now.”

Charity worker Ange McCaughley, from Geelong, said she bought eldest daughter Lila an Apple iPhone just before she entered high school, with safety her primary concern.

Ange McCaughley gave daughter Lila a smartphone at 12 to boost her independence and monitor her type one diabetes. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“Even though some of her friends had smartphones earlier, we decided as a couple that high school was the best time for us,” she said.

“She had to get the bus to school, whereas previously we’d give her lifts. This definitely gives reassurance.”

Ms McCaughley said the smartphone was particularly important for Lila, who suffers from type one diabetes, as it connected to a continuous glucose monitoring device in her arm and ensured she was aware of her daughter’s health at all times, including “sleepover parties or days out with friends”.

Telstra Foundation general manager Jackie Coates said choosing the right time to give your child a smartphone was “a really personal thing,” but she said parents should set clear rules about smartphone ownership before handing over devices.

She recommended parents and children draw up and sign a smartphone ‘contract’ to put rules in black and white, and ensure both parents and children were looking up at each other more than they looked down at a screen.

“It’s really important parents get on the same page as their child when they give them a smartphone,” Ms Coates said.

“Signing a mobile phone agreement is a fantastic way to guide the conversation. You should also reflect on your own phone habits, and don’t do ‘digital dinners’ where you look at your phone the whole time.”

TOP TIPS FOR PARENTS CONSIDERING A SMARTPHONE GIFT

— Draw up a smartphone contract outlining rules and responsibilities

— Buy a prepaid phone plan to guard against bill shock

— Consider whether you need to buy a new phone or can hand down an older model

— Invest in a sturdy smartphone case, like those from Tech21 and Otterbox

— Keep smartphones out of the bedroom

SMARTPHONES FOR KIDS THIS CHRISTMAS

Apple iPhone SE ($549): A child-friendly four-inch screen and access to the greatest number of apps.

Samsung Galaxy J5 Pro ($349): Samsung’s entry-level smartphone offers a 5.2-inch HD screen and 13-megapixel camera.

Oppo A57 ($249): Pre-teens should appreciate this prepaid phone with a 16-megapixel selfie camera.

Sony Xperia XA ($148): This five-inch phone boasts a surprisingly good 13-megapixel camera.

Nokia 3310 ($89): A basic phone with 27 days’ standby time, and access to calls and text messages.

Originally published as Smartphones for children: Aussie parents weighing up the best age to give kids technology