The 6 things every parent should know before buying their kid's first phone.

Thanks to our brand partner, Optus

So, your kid wants a phone. Of course they do. Phones are fun.

For most parents, giving your kid their first phone feels like a BIG deal.

Not just for them, but for us. While it might be tempting to stick our heads in the sand and avoid thinking about it, the reality is that conversations about kids and phones are everywhere. And yet, much of the advice out there is frustratingly vague and open-ended like "you have to choose what's right for you".

Dom Phelan is different. He's the facilitator of Optus' Digital Thumbprint program, and he's been helping kids (and their stressed-out parents) navigate the digital world for nearly a decade.

I knew I liked Dom when he gave me a definitive answer: high school is the right age for a first phone.

"Unless there's a very specific reason, primary school kids don't need phones," he said. "They'll survive without one."

If you need to be connected but don't feel ready to take the smartphone plunge, he recommended the Spacetalk Adventurer 2 now at Optus as a great alternative. It's a smartwatch, phone and GPS tracker rolled into one for kids aged five to 12.

An app subscription unlocks features like real-time GPS Location on Demand, School Mode and Safe Zones, where you can call or message your child if you're running late to pick up or plans change. It's a great way to keep kids connected without the distractions and risks of social media or endless YouTube rabbit holes.

Plus, you can get the Spacetalk Kids Watch, app and plan at Optus for under $30 per month when you stay connected for 36 months. "It's like phone training wheels," said Dom.

If you do feel ready to dive in and give your tween their first phone, here are six other things Dom said you need to know first.

1. Responsibility first, phone second. 

Want to know if your kid is ready for a phone? Look for signs of responsibility.

Are they nailing their chores? Making their bed? Unpacking the dishwasher? Emptying their school bag without a reminder (or a meltdown)?

Dom said these everyday habits are a good indicator they're ready for the responsibility of a phone.

2. Teach them about their digital footprint.

"Most of the kids have been told that what they post now could stick around forever," said Dom. "But they don't understand what that really means."

For adults who also need a refresher: Once you post to a platform (like Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok), you no longer own the content. The photo, video or text becomes the property of the platform, and they can surface that content whenever they like, however they like.

Why does that matter? Well, that joke post or picture of a party could one day be seen by a potential employer, a university admissions officer, insurance evaluator or even a future romantic partner (who hasn't Googled before a date?).

The content doesn't vanish just because you delete it. It's like leaving a digital trail of breadcrumbs for anyone to follow.

Dom had a simple exercise to help kids understand their digital footprint:

• Step one: Get them to Google themselves using an incognito browser window.

• Step two: Put their name in quotation marks.

"It shows every public result related to them," he explained. "Kids are often shocked to find old newsletters, photos or cringey posts they thought were long gone. This activity teaches kids that their digital footprint is real and it matters."

3. Make a family phone contract (yes, really).

Rules make life easier for everyone. Sit down together and create a phone contract with non-negotiables.

If that sounds like more admin, steal the basics of Dom's own family contract:

• No phones in bedrooms after 7pm.

• A daily screen time limit of two hours per day on the weekend.

• A daily limit on specific platforms.

• Which platforms are banned and which are allowed.

• Parents must know all passwords (you're footing the bill, after all).

If they break the rules? Consequences! But fair ones. "You're raising a responsible digital citizen, not sentencing them to tech jail," said Dom.

4. Familiarise yourself with state laws and school policies on digital consent.

"Most parents don't realise the rules around digital consent, image sharing and privacy vary depending on your state," said Dom.

Digital consent refers to a person's right to control the sharing of their own images and information.

Schools also have strict policies about digital conduct, especially when it comes to sharing images or filming videos in uniform or on school grounds. What seems like harmless fun can lead to suspension or expulsion if it violates school rules.

5. Teach them how to create strong passwords.

Don't share passwords and change them often. Teach your child how to set strong passwords by using a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.

"Use something memorable, like a favourite lyric or a date with meaning, like the day you adopted the family dog," Dom suggested.

It's also important to emphasise the importance of never sharing passwords with friends, even trusted ones. "It's a recipe for disaster," he warned. "If your child has a falling-out with that friend, it can lead to serious issues."

6. Model good screen habits. 

"Put your phone down and be present," Dom said. "No phones at the table and focus on one thing at a time. It's hard, but it sets the standard."

Hard? YES. But obviously sensible advice. Kids learn by watching us, and if we're doom-scrolling during a movie or checking our phone at dinner guess what they'll do?

Shop the Spacetalk Adventurer 2 at Optus, and get a Kids Watch, app and plan for under $30 per month when you stay connected for 36 months. 

Min. cost $368.48. App subscription included while you remain on this plan. Dusk variant only. Live location updates require Optus coverage and Adventurer 2 device to be switched on. Otherwise, the last known location will be shown. Coverage availability varies depending on your device and location. Check coverage at optus.com.au/coverage.

Feature Image: Getty. 

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