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Your own cell phone
Recommendations and rules for cell phone use at primary school age
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The first cell phone: When should children be allowed to use it?
Our children are growing up in an increasingly digital world. From a young age, they handle new media far more naturally than many adults. That's why they want their own cell phone at an ever earlier age, preferably a smartphone. Around a third of all third- and fourth-graders actually already have a mobile device. However, experts from education, psychology and medicine take a critical view of this. For you as a parent, it is undoubtedly not easy to decide on the right time: At what point does the first cell phone make sense? And what should you absolutely pay attention to?
When is it appropriate to own a cell phone?
There is no hard and fast rule as to when a cell phone is appropriate for a child. The decision is entirely up to you. If anything, the rule is: the later, the better. Educators recommend that elementary school children get a basic cell phone of their own at age nine at the earliest - not a smartphone yet! But you may want to give your child an "emergency" cell phone as early as first grade because, for example, he or she walks a long way to school alone every day. Then that's fine, too.
Which cell phone is suitable for the beginning?
The first cell phone does not have to be a new one. It does not need Internet and it should be robust in the first place. For many families, there is certainly still an older cell phone in the drawer. Perhaps you will find a suitable device for the beginning among them? Explain the functions to your child. Save a number on which you can be reached.
When can it be a smartphone?
When your child has already gained experience with digital media and you, as parents, are sure that he or she can correctly assess the dangers of the Internet and knows how to protect himself or herself. As a rule, children are ready when they are about 12 years old. Younger children may still be overtaxed by smartphones: they have a distracting effect on children, encourage lack of concentration and, with their infinite possibilities, harbor a considerable risk of addiction.
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What should parents pay attention to in everyday life?
As a parent, you are best placed to assess your child's media literacy. If you think your daughter or son is ready for their own cell phone or smartphone, you should introduce your child to responsible use step by step. The following information will give you useful tips and suggestions for safe and healthy use in everyday family life.
Set up the smartphone as child-friendly and safe as possible using the settings. Be sure to activate the parental control settings on the smartphone and all devices that your child uses. A key lock with PIN is also useful so that the data on the smartphone is as secure as possible and other children or unauthorized persons cannot access it.
Keep an eye on cell phone use without giving your child the feeling that you are constantly controlling it. It makes sense to limit the usage time according to age. Here, the recommendation of the "Schau hin" initiative is: max. 30 minutes for 7- to 8-year-old children, max. 45 minutes for 9- to 10-year-old children. Agree on cell phone-free times in the family, for example at mealtimes and before bedtime. The cell phone should then be put in a specific place in the evening. Set a good example; parents are the most important role models for their children.
It should go without saying that the cell phone stays off during school lessons. Many elementary schools have their own rules, for example that cell phones are not allowed during breaks or in the schoolyard. It is also best to agree with your child on your own family rules for dealing with the cell phone. For example:
the kitchen table is a cell phone-free zone for everyone,
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during homework, the cell phone is put away,
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at joint family celebrations, the cell phone remains off,
one hour before bedtime, the cell phone is taboo,
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at joint ventures, the cell phone stays at home, etc.
Game apps are already very popular with the youngest children. Many children are allowed to play on their parents' mobile devices, even if they don't yet have their own cell phones. There are also good learning apps for playful support in reading, writing and arithmetic. Make sure that the apps are age-appropriate and free of advertising. Educate your child that there are apps that access personal data and use it for advertising purposes.
In the beginning, a prepaid cell phone can be a good alternative. This way, your child learns to use credit for calls and messages. However, talk to your child about the costs and definitely about possible cost traps such as games or apps that can quickly become very expensive when downloaded. Check what security settings on the cell phone they are using can help avoid costs. You can, if your child is a little older, also agree with each other that he or she will contribute with his or her pocket money to the prepaid recharge or the monthly runtime costs.
Where can we find help and advice?
The initiative "Schau hin" has published age recommendations and golden rules for the use of cell phones by children. Useful information and age-appropriate recommendations can be found on the website of "Schau hin".
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More informationLinks for further reading
Comprehensive information on smartphone and tablet use in the family is provided by the Internet portal www.ins-netz-gehen.info of the Federal Center for Health Education.
