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Charted: Cellphone and Tablet Ownership Among U.S. Kids
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Key Takeaways
- Nearly half (47%) of U.S. children under eight own a tablet.
- Cellphone ownership is lower compared to tablets, but rises to 23% by age eight.
- Among kids with phones, 79% use smartphones with internet and apps.
For today’s youngest generation, digital devices are becoming an almost inevitable part of growing up.
Tablets and cellphones, once reserved for teens and adults, are now in the hands of children as young as two.
This infographic uses data from The Common Sense Census, a survey of 1,578 U.S. parents of children aged eight or younger, to show the distribution of device ownership among kids.
When Do Kids Get Their First Device?
Here’s a snapshot of tablet and cellphone ownership by age group, among Generation Alpha kids:
| Age Group | Tablet onwership | Cell phone ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Age 2 | 40% | 4% |
| Age 4 | 58% | 8% |
| Age 6 | 62% | 10% |
| Age 8 | 68% | 23% |
| Total (0 to 8 years old) | 47% | 9% |
Tablets are the most common “starter” device, with 40% of children already owning one at age two. By age four, that figure jumps to 58%. By age eight, over two-thirds (68%) of children use a tablet.
Cellphones, on the other hand, remain less common in early childhood. Just 4% of two-year-olds and 10% of six-year-olds own one. However, by age eight, nearly a quarter (23%) of children have their own phone.
Smartphones Are the Norm
Overall, 47% of American children under age eight own a tablet, and 9% own a cellphone. Furthermore, most kids are using advanced devices: 79% own a smartphone with internet and apps. Only 19% have a limited-access smartphone, and just 3% use a simple feature phone that has no touch screen or online access.
Often children are using devices for some form of entertainment—with 48% of kids aged zero to eight having watched short-form video content on platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram.
Meanwhile, parents are increasingly concerned about screen time, mental health impacts, and inappropriate content, although they also see devices as a tool for connection and learning.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The Smartphone Market Duopoly on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.