Understanding parents’ motivations for giving their children smartphones: A qualitative study

In response to growing concerns about the early age at which children receive smartphones, this study examines the factors influencing parents’ decisions on when and why to allow their children access to these devices. A total of 642 parents from a region in the Basque Country (northern Spain) participated in an open-ended survey. The sample was diverse in terms of gender, child age (2–16 years, M = 9.26), and place of residence. While 26.9% had purchased a smartphone for their child, most either allowed shared use (65.3%) or restricted access entirely (7.7%). The data were analyzed using the Reinert method via Iramuteq software. Five key thematic categories emerged: the desire for children to be part of peer groups, social pressure perceived by parents, enabling children’s autonomy in public spaces, facilitating local communication practices, and exercising parental control. These findings reveal how smartphone-related decisions are shaped by community norms, safety concerns, and evolving definitions of childhood independence. The study highlights the importance of culturally responsive resources that support diverse parenting approaches without prescribing universal rules about the “right” age for smartphone ownership.