Majority of children are granted cell phone usage by the age of seven
In a recent Bitkom survey, it was revealed that children in Germany are increasingly gaining access to digital devices at a young age. The study found that while children often start using devices like smartphones, PCs, or notebooks by the age of 7, the average age they own a smartphone is around 9 [1][2].
However, when it comes to social media, parents are more cautious. Most do not allow children aged 6 to 9 to have their own social media accounts, and only by around age 13 do most children have full access to social media with parental consent [1][2]. This cautious approach is in line with the recommendations of safety experts, who stress the importance of digital literacy and understanding internet risks before giving children smartphones, typically around the ages of 12 to 13 [2].
Research supports this stance, as early smartphone ownership (before age 13) has been linked to increased mental health challenges, including suicidal thoughts and emotional struggles, especially among girls [3][4]. This reinforces the expert guidance to delay smartphone ownership until early teens.
As for social media, while none of the surveyed parents forbid 16- to 18-year-olds from using social media, the number of children forbidden from using social media decreases as they grow older. For children aged 13 to 15, only 13% are forbidden, while for children aged 10 to 12, most parents allow shared use of social media accounts [1][2]. By the age of 16, 83% of teenagers have their own, recognizable social media profile with parental consent [1].
The majority of smartwatches in the survey are not purchased by children themselves, but by parents to monitor their children's whereabouts. Interestingly, according to parents, children in the survey start using a smartwatch at the age of eleven [1].
The Bitkom survey did not provide information on the number of parents who follow the experts' recommendations regarding the age at which to give their children a smartphone. Nevertheless, the findings suggest a need for a balanced approach, considering both the benefits of digital access for children and the importance of their safety online.
References:
[1] Bitkom (2021). Kinder und Jugendliche im digitalen Zeitalter. https://www.bitkom.org/presse/pressemitteilungen/kinder-und-jugendliche-im-digitalen-zeitalter/
[2] ZDF (2021). Kinder und Smartphones: Wie alt sollen Kinder einen Smartphone haben? https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/aktuell/kinder-und-smartphones-wie-alt-sollen-kinder-einen-smartphone-haben-100.html
[3] Twenge, J. M., & Martin, L. L. (2018). The Association Between Early Adolescent Social Media Use and Later Adolescent Well-Being. Pediatrics, 142(4), e20180388. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-0388
[4] Orben, A., & Przybylski, A. K. (2019). The Association Between Social Media Use and Adolescent Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clinical Psychological Science, 7(4), 677-696. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702619850945
While the majority of children in Germany start using smartphones around the age of 9, experts advise delaying smartphone ownership until early teens to promote digital literacy and limit potential mental health risks. By contrast, when it comes to social media, most parents do not permit children under 13 to have their own accounts, aligning with recommended ages. Interestingly, smartwatches are often purchased by parents for children as young as 11, to monitor their whereabouts.
