A third of kids have been exposed to inappropriate content on their smartphones

NEW RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THE AVERAGE CHILD GETS THEIR FIRST SMARTPHONE AGED NINE, BUT NOT ALL PARENTS ARE PUTTING IN RESTRICTIONS - AND HALF SAY THEY WERE "GUILT-TRIPPED" INTO THE

PURCHASE 13:34, 11 Feb 2025 The survey of 500 parents with children aged between 8 and 13 revealed that 57% felt pressured by their kids to buy them a smartphone at an early age. Almost

half of the parents confessed they were 'guilt-tripped' into purchasing a phone for their child, while 44% expressed concern that their child would feel excluded without one.

Despite initial hesitations from 74% of parents, a quarter admitted they gave their child a smartphone without discussing their emotional readiness. The survey showed 13% of parents had put

minimal or no restrictions in place on their child's phone with most under the impression their kids would be able to get around them. The study was commissioned by Motorola to shed

light on online resources and advice such as Parent Talk run by UK charity, Action for Children. It aims to highlight the challenges parents encounter when purchasing their child's

first phone. "Deciding when to give your child their first phone isn't easy as there is no 'right' age," commented Jo Thurston, a service coordinator for Action for

Children, "it all depends on your child and your specific family needs." Article continues below Jo emphasised that parents should consider why they need to give their child a

phone. For instance, if it's for safety reasons, they could contemplate getting them a basic phone for calls and texts instead of a smartphone. READ MORE: 'I named my daughter

after a family member – but bombshell changed everything' Jo also stressed the importance of open dialogue about safety online and whether their children understand how to keep safe.

Motorola also surveyed 500 children aged between 8 and 13 as part of the study and found that 44% used the internet or apps without their parents' knowledge. Whilst using, 31% of kids

had encountered content they felt was inappropriate for their age. "If you do choose to give them a phone it's crucial to have open and honest conversations, as well as setting

clear boundaries with your child, so you can stay connected, not just online, but in real life too." Despite the numerous factors to consider when it comes to smartphones, a whopping

84% of parents choose them over more basic options. Safety and GPS tracking were cited as key benefits by 56% of parents and access to educational resources was also highlighted as a

significant advantage. A representative from Motorola chimed in: "Smartphones have become a key part of everyday life for families, helping them stay connected and providing access to

learning and entertainment." Article continues below "However, it's important to ensure children are equipped with the right guidance and boundaries when it comes to

smartphone use and internet access." "We are committed to working alongside organisations like Action for Children to provide parents with the tools and knowledge to help them

navigate this decision confidently."