A Parent’s Checklist for a Child’s First Phone

This first phone checklist will help you get ready. A first phone or tablet is one of the most exciting gifts a child can open. It is also the moment their world opens up to apps, group chats, social media and strangers. A few minutes of setup before the box is wrapped, and a few honest conversations after, can make all the difference.

Use this first phone checklist to set up your child’s first phone safely, whether it is an iPhone, an Android phone or a tablet.

Before You Buy: Is Your Child Ready?

There is no perfect age for a first phone. Instead of asking “how old?”, ask:

• Can my child follow rules about screen time without constant reminders?
• Will they tell me when something online makes them uncomfortable?
• Do they need a smartphone, or would a basic phone or smartwatch meet the need for now?
• Am I ready to check in on how they use it, regularly and kindly?

If the answer to most of these is “not yet,” a phone with calling and texting only is a good first step.

The First Phone Setup Checklist

1. Set up the device under a family account

• iPhone and iPad: use Family Sharing to create a child Apple Account with their real birth date.
• Android: use Google Family Link to create a supervised Google account.

Real birth dates matter: apps and platforms use age to apply their safety defaults.

2. Turn on parental controls

• iPhone parental controls: open Settings, then Screen Time, and set up Content and Privacy Restrictions with a Screen Time passcode your child does not know.
• Android: manage apps, content filters and screen time from the Family Link app on your own phone.

3. Require approval for every app

• Turn on “Ask to Buy” (Apple) or app approvals (Family Link) so your child cannot download apps or make purchases without you.
• Look up any new app together before approving it. Check its age rating and whether it allows chat with strangers.

4. Lock down messaging and contacts

• Limit who can contact your child to approved contacts where possible.
• Turn on communication safety features that blur nudity in messages, available on both iPhone and Android.
• Talk about group chats: what is kind, what is not, and what to do if someone shares something inappropriate.

5. Set privacy and location settings

• Turn off location sharing for apps that do not need it, and never share location publicly.
• Turn off the camera and microphone for apps that do not need them.
• Share location only with family through the built-in family tools.

6. Filter content and the web

• Turn on web content filters to limit adult websites.
• Set app age ratings to match your child’s age.
• Turn on SafeSearch for search engines and YouTube’s restricted mode or a supervised YouTube experience.

7. Set healthy screen time limits

• Schedule “downtime” so the phone is off at bedtime.
• Keep phones charging outside the bedroom overnight.
• Set daily time limits for games and social media.

8. Hold off on social media

• Most social media platforms require users to be at least 13.
• When your child is ready, set accounts to private and review followers together.

9. Write a family phone agreement

Agree on the rules before the phone is handed over. A simple agreement can include:

• Where and when the phone is used.
• That parents know the passcode.
• That your child will never send photos to someone they have not met in person.
• That they will tell you if anyone asks for photos, asks them to keep a secret, or makes them uncomfortable, and that they will not be in trouble for telling you.

10. Keep talking

Settings are a safety net, not a substitute for conversation. Check in often and keep it positive. Ask who they are talking to, which apps they enjoy, and whether anything has felt “off.”

Warning Signs to Watch For

• Secrecy about the phone or quickly switching screens when you walk in.
• New contacts or “friends” you have never heard of.
• Gifts, gift cards or money from someone online.
• Mood changes, anxiety or withdrawal after using the phone.
• Requests from someone online to keep a relationship secret or move to a private app.

These can be signs of grooming. Learn more in our guide to grooming and how families can prevent, recognize and reduce harm.

Get Ready for the Conversation

Our free online course Start Talking: A Training for Keeping Children Safe Online helps parents and caregivers talk with children about online grooming, sextortion and AI. It takes less time than setting up the phone, and it is available in English and Spanish.

If your child will also be gaming on their new device, see our online gaming safety guide for parents.

If Something Happens

• Save screenshots and do not delete messages.
• Block and report the account in the app.
• Report child exploitation to the NCMEC CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678.
• In an emergency, call 911.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good age for a child’s first phone?

There is no single right age. Readiness matters more than age: can your child follow rules, and will they tell you when something goes wrong? Many families start with a basic phone and move to a smartphone later.

How do I set up parental controls on an iPhone?

Create a child account through Family Sharing, then open Settings, Screen Time, and set up Content and Privacy Restrictions with a passcode only you know. Turn on Ask to Buy so you approve app downloads.

Should I read my child’s messages?

Approaches vary by age. For younger children, regular, open check-ins are appropriate. As children get older, focus on trust and conversation, and make sure they know they can come to you without being punished.

What should be in a family phone agreement?

Where and when the phone is used, screen time limits, rules about photos and strangers, and a promise that your child can tell you about anything that happens online without getting in trouble.