When Should Kids Get Their First Smartphone?

When you hear people say “it seems like everyone now has a cell phone” they aren’t too far from the truth. It seems that kids who have their own cell phones are getting younger and younger.  As a matter of fact, a study by MusicMagpie has found that 25% of American children under the age of 6 now have their own cell phone. That number is a 300% increase from the previous year.

The report also shows that those kids are spending as much as 21 hours a week on their phones. Last week I heard that the average age for a youngster to get their first smartphone is 11. There is no doubt that that number will be going down in the months and years ahead.

I remember as a kid, I had to get my friends home phone number in case I needed to be reached.  Boy how that has changed.

So for you parents, when did you buy your child his or her first smartphone? For those who haven’t purchased one yet when are you planning to do so?