What is the Best Age for a Child to Get a Smartphone?
The official reason why parents give their children smartphones is for their safety and security. However, most parents may well know that the unofficial reason is the nagging they are subjected to. Children often see their friends who own smartphones and declare that they too want the same. Moreover, most of the teenagers today only want smartphones which are pretty expensive to boot. So is buying them a smartphone a wise decision after all?
The first question that comes to mind here is at what age must a child be considered old enough to own a smartphone? There is no universal answer to this, and it depends entirely on several external factors. The next question to ask is, what kind of a cellphone is it best to provide your child with; a smartphone or a regular feature phone?
The security risks of smartphones
As parents, it is necessary to know the risks and dangers of putting smartphones in the hands of someone too young, before doing so. After all, the Internet is a minefield of dangers for even the most experienced minds. So teenagers and young children are even more at risk.
The following threats can potentially harm your child online, so you need to ask yourself if you are willing to subject them to these risks.
- Giving out personal and private information
- Falling prey to online predators
- Being a victim of cyberbullying
- Carrying out excessive financial transactions
- Developing an incessant Internet addiction
- Losing interest in social activities that involve interacting with other kids
- Facing sleep deprivation and reduced eyesight
- Getting distracted from academics and school work
While some of these risks may seem exaggerated, the fact is that such incidents do occur. Children have a way of overusing gadgets and technology when they get their hands on it and it is the responsibility of their parents to educate them about the same. For more info on related threats, do visit our Rotary Cyber Safety Initiative page on Facebook.
While smartphones are great tools to possess, especially with regards to knowing your child’s whereabouts and for keeping in contact with them, it is necessary to be aware of the possible repercussions of owning them as well.
If you are a parent and have bought your child a smartphone, or are planning to get one soon, we would like to hear from you. Do take a minute to fill out the poll below and let us know what you think is the suitable age for getting your child a smartphone. Also, do ensure that your child’s smartphone has an effective antivirus solution running on it at all times.
survey software
37 Comments
Good article but needed some more insight.
I will agree with this point
at the age of 18
age 18
My quickhael will be started plz
please stop mindwashing…. people give their child a smartphone or not… it’s their decision… and yes , if they will give their child a smartphone they will ensure to put a anitivirus in it… yes, of course it will be Quick Heal… 😀
there is no particular age. it depends upon ur child. as a gurdian , u have to decide the right time for a smartphone after screening all the aspects and yours child resposibility and maturity. nobody knows better than u – about ur child. you know what she/he can do or not. so, estimate the risk and offer it.
my grandson is so much attached to all this games on phones – I phones – I pads – PC – that even on sport ground school bus on road – he keeps on playing with the same .there is no progress in sports – education social activities all are nil – smart phone is a danger to youth at a age below 16 .
IS there any Antivirus for Windows phone. Please let me in my mail ID if any.
Hi Parameswar,
Sorry but right now we don’t have an antivirus product for Windows Phone. When we do come up with this product, you will be one of the first to know.
Thanks and regards.
Could be around 15. More importantly the social quotient should be considered while giving such exposure. Parents should tell dos and don’t on smart phone and consequences
above 16 year
perfect age 16
11 years old child but his/her parents have to check always that the child is not miss use the smartphone/its internet.
Quick heal is the best antivirus i live Very much bcoz repair 100% setup.exe file other anti virus c`not repair but they delete file. tht coz i live it.
suddenly my virus protection is off
Hi Ashutosh,
You are requested to call our support center on 0-927-22-33-000. Or submit a ticket at https://www.quickheal.com/submitticket.asp.
Thanks and regards.
I’ve seen it all. I don’t have a smart phone nor should children. Smart phones are very vulnerable to Malware/Spyware with the internet. Children only need a generic phone without internet. Parents need to be firm and stop allowing children to run the household.
Smart phones are very vulnerable to Malware/Spyware with the internet. Children only need a generic phone without internet. Parents need to be firm and stop allowing their children to run the household.
quick heal …its nice antivirus it works so good.I like it.
Could you throw some light on the hazards of cell phone ‘radiation’ and children’s growth – specially the effect on their central nervous system and brain.
Thank you in advance,
Jehangir.
Hi Jehangir,
While we are not medical experts so we cannot comment on this particular topic, you can check this link for reference -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_radiation_and_health. Hope this helps.
Thanks and regards.
it work so good.
Good apps I am very happy
Smart Phone after 18 years, in India, may full fill academic usage, with cautious assessment, should be the only rationale.
just 5 years ! my child if expert enough to explore it
Above 16 is the best age to understand everything now the time. So this is best age to giving smartphone to a child.
in todays time 16 is the time
On the basis of operating system, i.e. Windows, Linux, Android etc, Which smartphones have more risk of getting virus and which are not? what solution you have to protect smartphones from viruses?
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Hi Daulat,
Android is the operating system that has the most security threats due to its open source nature and also due to its widespread usage. In order to secure your Android device, we offer the following solution -> https://www.quickheal.co.in/home-users/quick-heal-total-security-for-android.
Thanks and regards.
I think After 18 is suitable age to use smartphone by child. It would be helpful to know world, to understand what happening in around, to solve problems etc.
Smart Phones Are Marketing Tool For Easy Targets.
Don’t should to any phone in any age.
Parents should not provide the children smart phones. They should be counseled to buy one once they start earning themselves.
All the parent want to update their children so early so that even the children exhaust so early with all the unwanted things.
there is no particular age. it depends upon ur child. as a gurdian , u have to decide the right time for a smartphone after screening all the aspects and yours child
Why it require age bar? Smartphones are nothing but PC+phone.As its price are decreasing day by day,smartphones will not be different than toys.Such a orthodox question!!