October 9, 2025, 7:25 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Many parents ask the same question: When is the right time for their child to get their first smartphone? There is no set age or simple rule, but there are clear guidelines and a checklist that guardians can follow.
For many, the smartphone has become an integral part of life. Almost nothing works without the small device anymore. Children, too, increasingly want to own a smartphone. But when should parents respond to this desire? When is a smartphone truly necessary for a child? According to the Consumer Center of Rhineland-Palatinate, the transition to secondary school is a good occasion to consider the first smartphone. However, the child’s maturity, not age, is crucial.
Smartphone for Kids–No Fixed Age Limit
“Many parents use the transition from elementary to secondary school to equip their children with their own smartphone,” explains the Consumer Center of Rhineland-Palatinate. Instead of a specific age, the child’s individual development should be the focus.
A checklist from the initiative “Schau hin!” is helpful for parents, providing good guidance for assessing the appropriate timing, according to consumer advocates. Additionally, children can learn and test their knowledge about the internet, smartphones, apps, and computers through the so-called Surf Certificate from “Internet-abc.de.”
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These Smartphone Settings Are Important
Once the decision for a smartphone is made, parents should remain actively involved. The device must be properly set up, with certain technical settings being particularly important to minimize risks for the child:
Limit and accompany usage: Functions like Family Link (Android) or parental controls (iOS) can be used to monitor screen time and block apps. Child protection filters can also be activated here. Detailed instructions for these settings are available on the platform “Klicksafe.de.”
Review apps and block in-app purchases: Unnecessary apps should be deleted. For the remaining applications, it is advisable to review and possibly change permissions regarding data privacy. In-app purchases should also be disabled to avoid unwanted expenses.
Set up third-party blocking: A third-party block with the mobile provider protects against subscription traps and unexpected additional costs.
Use child-friendly search engines: Services like “fragFINN” offer vetted content for young users. Parents can set such child-friendly options as the browser’s homepage to make surfing safer.
Dialogue Instead of Control
Technical measures alone are not enough. Equally important is ongoing communication with the child. “Promote media literacy instead of just filtering” should be the guiding principle.
The Consumer Center of Rhineland-Palatinate emphasizes: Regular discussions about online dangers, jointly developed rules for usage, and decisions about apps and websites are essential for enabling children to handle digital media responsibly.
With material from dpa