Most parents (61%) say the appropriate age for children to own their first cell phone is between 13 and 18, while over one-quarter (28%) say kids should have their own cell phone between 9 and 12 years old, according to a survey from Retrevo.


Just 5% of parents say kids under age 9 should have a cell phone.

Below, other findings from the Retrevo Gadgetology Report.

Parents' opinions on the appropriateness of gadgetry vary based on the age of their children: Nearly one-third (31%) of the parents of younger children (under age 9) say it's appropriate for a child to have his or her own phone before age 12, compared with 43% of parents of preteens (age 9-12) who say so. 

Child's First Computer

For a child's first computer, the acceptable threshold is lower than it is for a cell phone: 35% of parents say the appropriate age for a child to have his or her own computer is between 9 and 12, and 31% say it's appropriate for a child under age 9 to own a computer.

Parents of younger children are more likely to lower the laptop bar: 73% of parents of younger children (under age 9) say it's appropriate for a child to have his or her own computer before age 12, compared with 61% of parents of preteens who say so.

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Kids and Gadgets: How Young Is Too Young?

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