"Everyone in my class has a phone!" Most parents hear it sooner or later. There's no single perfect age, but there is clear guidance for younger children, and a few questions that make the decision much easier.
What does the IAP say about a child's first phone?
For children aged 5 to 10, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics advises that the device a child uses should belong to a parent, and that the child should not get their own phone, tablet or laptop. It also says children and young adolescents aren't ready for social platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook.
For teenagers, the guideline focuses on supervision: parents should know the apps and games before allowing them, keep the passwords, and watch for signs of cyberbullying.
What can younger children use instead?
- A shared family phone that stays in the hall, for video calls with nani and dadi.
- A basic calling phone for tuition or the school van, with no apps or internet.
- Your phone, with you, for homework that needs a screen.
Is my child ready for their own phone? A checklist
When your child is older, go through these together. If most answers are "yes", you're in a good place to start.
- Do they stick to screen limits now, without big fights?
- Do they tell you when something online upsets or confuses them?
- Do they look after their things, like their school bag and water bottle?
- Can they put a device down when asked, most of the time?
- Have you agreed the rules together: where it charges at night, which apps, and when it's off?
- Do you know the apps they want, and are you comfortable with them?
- Will you keep the passwords, and have they agreed to that?
If the phone question has come up, don't decide tonight. Write down the checklist together and agree to revisit it in a month.
"I'm not saying no forever. Let's work out together what 'ready' looks like."
What rules work for a first phone?
Keep them few and clear: the phone charges outside the bedroom at night, no phones at meals, and new apps only after you've looked at them together. Write them down and review them every few months as your child grows.
Phones at the dinner table: a simple family rule that worksSource: Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Guidelines on Screen Time and Digital Wellness in Infants, Children and Adolescents. This guide is general information, not medical advice. Speak to your paediatrician about your child.
Quick answers
My child needs to call me after tuition. What can I do?
A basic phone that only calls and texts covers safety without apps, games or the internet.
Is WhatsApp okay for a 10-year-old?
The IAP says children and young adolescents aren't ready for social platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram.
Should I know my teenager's passwords?
The IAP advises that parents of adolescents should have the passwords and access to all their online accounts.
What if they're bullied online?
Reassure them, block the sender, save the messages, and report it. Cyberbullying can be reported at cybercrime.gov.in.
