What’s the right age to give your child their first phone?

It’s here! The new world-first smartphone for children with built-in protection against nude content.

New research for Life360 shows one in five kids now own a phone by age 10, rising to more than half (53%) by age 12. But when it comes to deciding the “right” age, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It really depends on your child’s maturity and your family’s needs.

The top reasons parents give their kids a phone are:

• Emergencies: 82% want to reach their child quickly.
• Family communication: 58% value easier connection.
• Location sharing: 48% use it for peace of mind.

Phones are increasingly becoming part of school life, helping parents balance safety, convenience and independence.

Is your child ready for their first phone?

Psychologist and teen expert Collett Smart says the key is balancing safety with independence: “Giving your child a phone should empower them, not just monitor them. Apps like Life360 work best when used with transparency and trust.”

To gauge readiness, ask yourself:

• Do they take care of their belongings?
• Can they follow family rules and respect boundaries?
• Would a phone improve their safety (e.g., on commutes)?
• Are they mature enough to handle safety features, like blocking unknown numbers?

HMD launches world-first kids’ smartphone that blocks nude content

For families who are ready to take the plunge, Human Mobile Devices (HMD), the makers of Nokia phones, have unveiled a game-changer in the smartphone space. The HMD Fuse is the world’s first smartphone for children with built-in protection against nude content.

Launching in Australia on August 28 for $799 (available at Harvey Norman and Officeworks), the HMD Fuse is designed as a “stepping-stone smartphone” to keep kids safe while helping them stay connected.

The breakthrough comes from HarmBlock+ technology, developed with online safety experts SafeToNet. It prevents inappropriate content from ever being filmed, shared or stored, giving parents peace of mind that their child’s phone is safe by design.

Other standout features include:

• HarmBlock AI: blocks nude content in real time.
• Custom settings: start fully restricted, then ease controls as your child matures.
• App management: approve downloads, set time limits, and schedule downtime (bedtime, study, dinner).
• Location safety: track in real-time, see history logs, and set safe zones.
• Trusted contacts: calls and texts limited to whitelisted numbers.

With cyberbullying, stranger danger and harmful content all on the rise, the HMD Fuse is being seen as a real game-changer for digital parenting.

Why parents are choosing location sharing

Back-to-school season is often when families decide to get that first phone. Life360 data shows downloads surge by 50% in January, as parents embrace location-sharing tech to ease stress and support independence.

• 58% of parents say it lowers back-to-school anxiety.
• 73% of secondary school kids say it makes them feel safer.
• 44% believe it helps them grow more independent.

Social media safety tips for new phone owners

With a first phone often comes social media—and soon, stricter rules. From late 2025, Australia plans to ban under-16s from using social media without verified parental consent, with fines of up to A$50 million for tech companies that fail to comply.

For now, parents are the first line of defence. A few smart steps:

• Set privacy settings: keep accounts private and limited to real-life friends.
• Talk about digital footprints: once posted, always shared.
• Explain stranger danger: don’t accept requests from people they don’t know.
• Create no-phone zones: bedrooms, dinner tables, family time.
• Encourage openness: make sure they come to you if something feels wrong.
• Teach blocking and reporting: empower them to act on harmful behaviour.
• Set screen-time limits: balance tech with real life.