Third of parents don't know how old a child should be to have a phone

Aug 21, 2023

The NSPCC and Vodafone have issued a series of safety tips for parents with young children

New research reveals choosing when to give a child their first mobile phone is one of the hardest decisions a parent will make, with 36% saying it ranked equally as hard as choosing which school their children should go to and only topped by deciding when a child should go to the park or shop themselves.

The study by Vodafone, to mark the announcement of their new partnership with the NSPCC, also found that while parents find the decision hard, overwhelmingly, they felt a phone was important to have when a child goes to secondary school, to keep them safe when travelling to and from school and to know where they are, when they’re out on their own.

The data also suggests parents lack confidence in setting up safety features on key applications that children use, with many feeling in the dark with newer apps like BeReal, Snapchat and TikTok. Meanwhile, over half say the decision is difficult because they are worried about them seeing inappropriate content or being bullied online.

To equip parents and carers with the information and tools they need to navigate buying children their first phone and keeping them safe online, Vodafone has announced its partnership with the NSPCC. A key element of the partnership will be the ongoing development of a new online platform, designed to provide parents with practical resources for buying their child’s first phone, like setting parental controls as well as offering advice on both new and refurbished devices to help them get the best deal.

This complements the Digital Parenting resources and articles Vodafone has been providing families at Digital Parenting Pro.

The NSPCC reports that in 2022/23, 10% of calls to its Helpline focused on mobile phones or online platforms in August, highlighting a spike in online safety concerns ahead of the new school term.

Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer at Vodafone UK said: “We know a child’s first phone is a big moment for families – exciting for children but bringing with it new concerns for parents and carers. Our research highlights that many mums, dads and carers don’t feel confident they know all they need to keep their children safe online or where to start with choosing their first phone.”

Kate Edwards, Associate Head of Child Safety Online at NSPCC, said: “At the NSPCC, we are doing everything within our power to ensure that children are safe when they enter the online world, including campaigning for a more robust online safety bill. We know a child’s first steps, first words and first day at school are all exciting moments for families but getting a first phone is one which can be tempered by fear.

“This is why our partnership with Vodafone is so important, together we can support parents to understand how to keep children safe.”

Vodafone & NSPCC 10 safety tips when getting a child their first mobile

Set it up as a ‘child’s phone’.

Speak to your provider to avoid access to certain content or to avoid spending too much.

Activate parental control on mobile.

Contact provider to limit the 4/5G networks your child’s phone can access.

Turn on apps safety settings.

Put content filters, chat filters, privacy settings and in-app purchase settings on all applications.

Restrict WiFi

Contact your internet service provider to set up WiFi controls for devices in your home.

Talk to your child.

You know when your child is old enough to talk about certain topics without becoming upset or frightened. When talking about risks, be honest but try not to catastrophise.

Check location settings.

Review location settings on favourite apps or games and remind them they shouldn’t share their location online.

Know about app safety settings.

For example, TikTok has a Family Pairing feature that links a parent’s account with their child’s; Snapchat offers built-in parental control features, and Instagram has its Parental Guide for Teens with helpful tips.

Don’t forget about online gaming safety.

Check the age rating to make sure it is appropriate and adjust the settings to make sure chat and voice features are turned off. You can set limits on screentime too.

Report harmful online content.

If you are concerned about something your child has seen online, you can visit the NSPCC page about reporting online safety concerns or call the NSPCC helpline.

Know where to go for help and advice. Vodafone’s online resources help you decide which phone is best for your child. You can learn more about safety settings on apps, games and devices via its Digital Parenting Pro.