Children should have phone from age three study says

Published on: September 3, 2017

Despite concerns with giving children a mobile phone some parents start young
Data from a poll shows more than 10 per cent of parents think from three is okay
Information showed another 13 per cent think seven to nine years of age is better
Results revealed 65 per cent of children aged between five and 12 own a device

By Fiona Connor For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 07:25 BST, 3 September 2017 | Updated: 07:26 BST, 3 September 2017

Despite the potential risks that arise when children are given access to a cellphone a new study has found parents are giving kids as young as three their own device.

According to data from a Galaxy poll more than 10 per cent of parents believe giving a child between three and six a phone is acceptable.

Information indicated a further 13 per cent think seven to nine-years-old is the right age bracket for a child to have their first cellphone, Adelaide Now reports.

Despite the potential risks that arise when children are given access to a cellphone a new study has found parents are giving kids as young as three their own device

Practising psychologist Sabina Read was surprised to learn 20 per cent of parents surveyed thought the best ages was between five to nine-years-old.

‘The device itself is not the enemy and if we say it is ”bad” it only becomes more appealing,’ she said.

The Australian social commentator added if children are only looking at a screen they will miss out on other opportunities.

An additional poll’s early results revealed 65 per cent of children aged five to 12 to have a device with young boys more likely than girls to have their own.

Data showed tablets are currently the most owned device by young kids with around 50 per cent having their own.