Receiving a first smartphone is a significant milestone in a child's life. While there is no universally "right" age, deciding when the time is right involves much more than simply considering their age or whether their friends already have one. A smartphone brings greater independence, along with increased responsibilities, making it important to consider whether a child has the maturity and judgement to use it safely and responsibly.
Most young people have already used tablets, computers, gaming consoles or shared family devices before having access to their own smartphone. This quiz is not designed to assess technical skills or how well your child uses technology. Instead, it explores the judgement, responsibility, self-regulation and social maturity needed to manage the greater independence that comes with having regular access to a personal smartphone.
The Smartphone Readiness Quiz has been designed to support conversations about this important milestone. Rather than providing a simple yes or no answer, it encourages families to reflect on key areas of readiness, recognise strengths and identify opportunities to further develop the skills needed before taking this next step.
Is Your Child Ready for a Smartphone?
Being ready for a smartphone is not just about age. It is about having the skills to use one safely, responsibly and respectfully.
This quiz is designed to help parents and children explore smartphone readiness together. It is not a test and there are no right or wrong answers. Simply choose the response that best reflects your child, most of the time.
The quiz explores five key areas: Responsibility; Self-Regulation; Relationships & Judgement; Online Safety Awareness; and Decision-Making & Critical Thinking.
We encourage you to complete the quiz together and discuss the results. At the end, you'll receive suggested next steps based on your child's readiness, along with guidance on setting up parental controls and completing a Family Smartphone Agreement before introducing a mobile phone.
